title: Physiological significance of ghrelin revealed by studies using genetically engineered mouse models with modifications in the ghrelin system.
abstract: Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor (GHS-R or ghrelin receptor), is a 28-amino acid acylated peptide mainly produced in the stomach. The pharmacological administration of ghrelin is known to exert diverse effects, such as stimulating GH secretion, promoting food intake, and increasing adiposity. In recent years, genetically engineered mouse models have provided important insights into the physiology of various hormones. In this review, we discuss current knowledge regarding the physiological significance of ghrelin on the basis of studies using genetically engineered mouse models with modifications in the ghrelin system.
authors.affiliation: The First Department of Internal Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ariyasu
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akamizu
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D004435:Eating / Q000235:genetics*; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013270:Stomach / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D054439:Ghrelin; D054440:Receptors, Ghrelin