Recombinant Human Ghrelin protein

Supplementary info

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Activity summary

Ghrelin also known as the "hunger hormone" or GH secretagogue is a peptide hormone with a mass of 28 amino acids. Ghrelin is mainly expressed in the stomach particularly in the enteroendocrine cells but it can also be found in small amounts in the lungs pancreas and hypothalamus. The hormone increases food intake and promotes fat storage by signaling the brain to stimulate hunger. Its secretion occurs in response to fasting and is suppressed by food intake reflecting its role in energy balance.

Biological function summary

Ghrelin influences a variety of physiological processes beyond hunger regulation. It plays a role in modulating the release of growth hormone by acting on the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). Ghrelin also affects gastric motility and acid secretion due to its expression in the gastrointestinal tract. Though not part of a larger complex its interaction with GHS-R strongly influences its biological functions. Ghrelin may also impact insulin secretion and sensitivity linking it to glucose metabolism processes.

Pathways

Ghrelin interacts with several critical biological networks. Ghrelin is involved in the neuroendocrine pathway that connects the gut to the brain and contributes significantly to energy homeostasis. Within this pathway it influences proteins like leptin which exerts opposite effects by suppressing hunger. Additionally ghrelin functions in the hedonic control of eating which relates to the rewarding aspects of food intake controlled by pathways involving dopamine.

Associated diseases and disorders

Ghrelin holds relevance to obesity and cachexia a form of extreme weight loss often seen in chronic illness. Ghrelin promotes adiposity by stimulating appetite which can contribute to obesity. Conversely in cachexia the decrease in ghrelin activity is thought to exacerbate weight loss. Its role in energy balance associates ghrelin with the protein leptin which counterbalances its effects and connections to metabolic disorders. Understanding ghrelin’s functions and pathways provides insight into therapeutic strategies for these conditions.