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Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Study of Protein-protein Interactions in Autophagy Research
Published on: September 9, 2017
Ghrelin and autophagy
Silvia Ezquerro1, Gema Frühbeck, Amaia Rodríguez
1aMetabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona bCIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid cDepartment of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
Ghrelin, a gut hormone, regulates autophagy, a cellular process crucial for metabolic health. This review explores ghrelin
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- Compromised autophagy is linked to obesity, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.
- Ghrelin, a gut hormone regulating energy homeostasis, may play a role in autophagy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential role of ghrelin in regulating autophagy.
- To explore ghrelin's influence on cellular processes related to metabolic and neurological health.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on ghrelin and autophagy.
- Analysis of ghrelin's mechanisms in central and peripheral actions.
Main Results:
- Ghrelin enhances autophagy via AMP-activated protein kinase, impacting lipid/glucose metabolism, gut mucosa, cardiac function, and brain activity.
- In inflammatory conditions, ghrelin reduces autophagic flux, acting as an anti-inflammatory agent.
- Metabolic disorders often present with low ghrelin levels and altered autophagy.
Conclusions:
- Ghrelin's role in autophagy modulation makes it a potential therapeutic target.
- Targeting ghrelin may offer new strategies for treating metabolic, cardiac, and neuronal diseases associated with impaired autophagy.
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