The potential autocrine/paracrine roles of ghrelin and its receptor in hormone-dependent cancer.
Ghrelin is a recently identified 28 amino acid peptide capable of stimulating pituitary growth hormone release in humans. The actions of ghrelin are mediated via the naturally occurring ghrelin receptor, also known as the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). Ghrelin and its receptors are now being recognized as components of the growth hormone axis and are therefore potentially involved in tissue growth and development. As is the case for other members of this axis, evidence is rapidly emerging to indicate that ghrelin/GHS-R may play an important autocrine/paracrine role in some cancers. This review highlights the evidence for the expression, regulation and potential functional role of ghrelin and its receptor in hormone-dependent cancers, such as prostate and breast cancer.
Jeffery
Penny L
PL
Queensland University of Technology, 2 George St, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia. p.jeffery@student.qut.edu.au
Herington
Adrian C
AC
Chopin
Lisa K
LK
D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D054439:Ghrelin; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin
D054439:Ghrelin; D006728:Hormones; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin; D013006:Growth Hormone