rethinkPeptides Search
Menu
Study breakdown

Surprise: Des-Acyl Ghrelin Is Actually a Full Agonist at the Ghrelin Receptor, Not Inactive

In VitroPreliminary evidence
The takeaway

Unacylated (des-acyl) ghrelin unexpectedly functioned as a full agonist at the GHS-R1a receptor (previously thought to be inactive at this receptor), challenging the assumption that only acylated ghrelin has GHS-R activity.

Key finding

Des-acyl ghrelin, previously considered inactive at GHS-R1a, demonstrated full agonist activity at the type 1a receptor — challenging the fundamental

What the researchers found

Des-acyl ghrelin, previously considered inactive at GHS-R1a, demonstrated full agonist activity at the type 1a receptor — challenging the fundamental assumption that only acylated ghrelin has GHS-R activity and redefining des-acyl ghrelin's biological role.

Why it matters

Relevant for ghrp, receptor-signaling.

How the study worked

in-vitro study on ghrp, receptor-signaling.

What this study cannot tell us

See abstract.

How to read the evidence

preliminary evidence.

When this study was published

Published in 2007.

The bigger picture

Advances peptide research.

Questions still open

  • Further research needed.
  • Clinical translation to evaluate.

Common questions

What was studied?
Surprise: Des-Acyl Ghrelin Is Actually a Full Agonist at the Ghrelin Receptor, Not Inactive
What was found?
Unacylated (des-acyl) ghrelin unexpectedly functioned as a full agonist at the GHS-R1a receptor (previously thought to be inactive at this receptor), challenging the assumption that only acylated ghrelin has GHS-R activity.

Read the original research

Unacylated ghrelin is not a functional antagonist but a full agonist of the type 1a growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R).

Molecular and cellular endocrinology, 274(1-2), 30-4

Citation

Gauna, Carlotta; van de Zande, Bedette; van Kerkwijk, Anke; Themmen, Axel P N; van der Lely, A J; Delhanty, Patric J D. (2007). Unacylated ghrelin is not a functional antagonist but a full agonist of the type 1a growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R).. Molecular and cellular endocrinology, 274(1-2), 30-4.