Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

A RAPID Method for Blood Processing to Increase the Yield of Plasma Peptide Levels in Human Blood
Published on: April 28, 2016
Structures and molecular forms of the ghrelin-family peptides
Yoshihiro Nishi1, Junko Yoh, Hiroshi Hiejima
1Department of Physiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-0011, Japan. nishiy@med.kurume-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
Ghrelin is an acylated peptide hormone produced mainly from the stomach. The major active products of the ghrelin gene in the stomach of rats, mice and humans are 28-amino acid peptides acylated at the serine-3 position with an n-octanoyl group (C8:0), called simply ghrelin. However, recent studies have revealed that the ghrelin gene can generate a variety of bioactive molecules besides ghrelin. These include acyl forms of ghrelin other than C8:0-ghrelin (i.e., n-decanoyl ghrelin or n-decenoyl ghrelin), des-acyl ghrelin, obestatin and ghrelin-associated peptides originated from the ghrelin gene. This review surveys the structures of the ghrelin peptides and molecular forms of ghrelin gene-derived products, and summarizes the knowledge about the functions of these peptides, with an emphasis on the acyl forms of the ghrelin peptide.
Related Concept Videos
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...
Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or...
Regulation of Food Intake
G Protein-coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...
Protein and Protein Structure
A protein's shape is critical to its function. For example, an enzyme can...
Globular Proteins
Globular proteins serve many important physiological functions, such as acting as enzymes, cellular messengers, and molecular transporters. These roles often require the proteins to be soluble in the aqueous...

