title: Physiology of ghrelin and related peptides.
abstract: Growth hormone (GH) released from pituitary under direct control of hypothalamic releasing (i.e., GHRH) and inhibiting (i.e., sst or SRIF) hormones is an anabolic hormone that regulates metabolism of proteins, fats, sugars and minerals in mammals. Cyril Bowers' discovery of GH-releasing peptide (GHRP-6) was followed by a search for synthetic peptide and nonpeptide GH-secretagogues (GHSs) that stimulate GH release, as well as a receptor(s) unique from GHRH receptor. GHRH and GHSs operate through distinct G protein-coupled receptors to release GH. Signal transduction pathways activated by GHS increase intracellular Ca2+ concentration in somatotrophs, whereas GHRH increases cAMP. Isolation and characterization of ghrelin, the natural ligand for GHS receptor, has opened a new era of understanding to physiology of anabolism, feeding behavior, and nutritional homeostasis for GH secretion and gastrointestinal motility through gut-brain interactions. Other peptide hormones (i.e., motilin, TRH, PACAP, GnRH, leptin, FMRF amide, galanin, NPY, NPW) from gut, brain and other tissues also play a role in modulating GH secretion in livestock and lower vertebrate species. Physiological processes, such as neurotransmission, and secretion of hormones or enzymes, require fusion of secretory vesicles at the cell plasma membrane and expulsion of vesicular contents. This process for GH release from porcine somatotrophs was revealed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunohistochemical distribution of the cells in pituitary during stages of development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3150, USA. llanders@iastate.edu
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jeftinija
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Scanes
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Stromer
authors.forename: J-S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jeftinija
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Glavaski-Joksimovic
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000494:pharmacology; D054439:Ghrelin; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001552:Benzazepines; D054439:Ghrelin; C091588:L 692585; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D013777:Tetrazoles; D013006:Growth Hormone; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone