title: Ghrelin as a starvation signal.
abstract: Ghrelin, a gastrointestinal hormone, functions as an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). It comprises 28 amino acids, of which the Ser-3 residue is post-translationally modified by the addition of octanoyl acid. Ghrelin stimulates feeding and the secretion of growth hormone; it is also thought to function in energy conservation. Here, we provide an overview of the discovery of ghrelin, its pathophysiological significance, and the mechanism of ghrelin-induced feeding.:
authors: Frontier Science Research Center, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan. Electronic address:dateyuka@med.miyazaki-u.ac.jp.
authors: Yukari
authors: Y
authors: Date
authors: National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka 565-8565, Japan.
authors: Kenji
authors: K
authors: Kangawa