Ghrelin
Ghrelin is a secreted neuropeptide hormone encoded by the GHRL gene, which produces the ghrelin-obestatin preproprotein. Also known as MTLRP or growth hormone secretagogue receptor ligand, ghrelin stimulates appetite and contributes to energy homeostasis. Browse Assay Genie's current range of Ghrelin research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
Ghrelin is a powerful appetite stimulant that plays an important role in energy homeostasis. Its secretion is initiated when the stomach is empty. It then binds to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor in the hypothalamus, which results in the secretion of growth hormone (somatotropin). Ghrelin is thought to regulate several further activities, including hunger, reward perception via the mesolimbic pathway, gastric acid secretion, gastrointestinal motility and pancreatic glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. UniProt annotation also notes possible effects on gastric emptying and jejunal motility, and describes an appetite-reducing effect that may decrease food intake.
The ghrelin gene, GHRL, encodes a preproprotein that is cleaved to yield two peptides, ghrelin and obestatin. The product is a secreted protein and belongs to the motilin family. HGNC classifies it within the neuropeptides gene group. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants, and antisense transcripts have been identified that may potentially regulate expression of the ghrelin-obestatin preproprotein. Mouse and rat both carry a Ghrl ortholog.
The nomenclature reflects the gene's history. Earlier names include ghrelin, growth hormone secretagogue receptor ligand, and ghrelin/obestatin prepropeptide, and MTLRP is a previous symbol. Obestatin was first proposed to oppose ghrelin by promoting satiety and reducing food intake, but this action is still debated. More recent reports suggest several metabolic roles for obestatin, including regulation of adipocyte function and glucose metabolism. Together, the two peptides make this locus a useful focus for studies of appetite, metabolism and gastrointestinal physiology.
Ghrelin is a powerful appetite stimulant with an important role in energy homeostasis, making it central to studies of hunger and feeding.
Ghrelin binds the growth hormone secretagogue receptor in the hypothalamus, resulting in the secretion of growth hormone (somatotropin).
Ghrelin is thought to regulate gastric acid secretion and gastrointestinal motility, and may influence gastric emptying and jejunal motility.
Ghrelin is linked to glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, while obestatin may regulate adipocyte function and glucose metabolism.
Ghrelin is a powerful appetite stimulant that helps regulate energy homeostasis. Secreted when the stomach is empty, it binds the growth hormone secretagogue receptor in the hypothalamus and triggers growth hormone release. It is also thought to affect reward perception, gastric acid secretion, gut motility and insulin secretion.
Both peptides come from one gene. GHRL encodes a preproprotein that is cleaved into ghrelin and obestatin. Obestatin was first proposed to oppose ghrelin by promoting satiety, but this is still debated. Alternative splicing gives multiple transcript variants. Aliases include MTLRP.
Yes. Mouse and rat each have a Ghrl ortholog of the human GHRL gene. Ghrelin belongs to the motilin family of neuropeptides. For experimental use in a given species, check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Receptor partners, co-encoded peptides and other appetite and metabolic regulators with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9UBU3; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.