Experts Agree on Standard Names for the Hunger Hormone Ghrelin and Its Receptor
A consensus survey among ghrelin experts established standardized nomenclature: 'ghrelin' for the active hormone, 'desacyl-ghrelin' for its inactive form, 'GHSR' for the receptor, and 'LEAP2' for its endogenous antagonist.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
An expert consensus survey established standardized nomenclature for the ghrelin system: 'ghrelin' (the octanoylated active peptide), 'desacyl-ghrelin' (the non-acylated form that does not bind GHSR at physiological levels), 'GHSR' (growth hormone secretagogue receptor), and 'LEAP2' (liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2, a recently recognized endogenous GHSR antagonist/inverse agonist).
The paper also contextualizes that ghrelin controls not only growth hormone secretion but also food intake, reward-related behaviors, glucose homeostasis, and gastrointestinal motility. Desacyl-ghrelin's physiological role remains less well-characterized despite being detectable in biological samples.
Key Numbers
How They Did This
The authors conducted a survey among experts who have contributed to the ghrelin literature, aiming to identify whether consensus could be reached on nomenclature for ghrelin, its non-acylated form, its receptor, and its endogenous antagonist. The consensus recommendations were based on survey results from the research community.
Why This Research Matters
Inconsistent terminology in scientific literature creates confusion and miscommunication, particularly for researchers entering the field or clinicians reading about ghrelin-based therapies. Standardized nomenclature is essential as ghrelin system research advances toward clinical applications — including potential treatments for eating disorders, obesity, cachexia, and addiction. The identification of LEAP2 as an endogenous ghrelin blocker also opens new therapeutic avenues.
The Bigger Picture
The ghrelin system is increasingly recognized as a master regulator of energy balance, reward, and metabolism. The formal recognition of LEAP2 as an endogenous GHSR antagonist is particularly significant — it suggests the body has a natural 'brake' on ghrelin signaling that could be pharmacologically enhanced for obesity treatment. Clear nomenclature will accelerate communication as ghrelin-targeted drugs advance through development.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
This is primarily a nomenclature consensus paper, not a study presenting new experimental data. The survey was limited to researchers already publishing in the ghrelin field, which may not capture perspectives from adjacent fields. Desacyl-ghrelin's physiological role remains unresolved, and the consensus on naming it doesn't address the ongoing debate about whether it has biological activity independent of GHSR.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does desacyl-ghrelin have physiological functions through receptors other than GHSR that remain to be identified?
- ?Could enhancing LEAP2 signaling serve as a therapeutic strategy for reducing appetite and treating obesity?
- ?How will standardized nomenclature improve the clinical translation of ghrelin-based therapeutics?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- LEAP2: endogenous ghrelin blocker Beyond settling nomenclature, this consensus paper formally recognizes LEAP2 as a natural antagonist of the ghrelin receptor, potentially opening a new therapeutic target for appetite control.
- Evidence Grade:
- This is a consensus/nomenclature paper based on an expert survey, not a study with experimental data. It reflects the collective agreement of leading ghrelin researchers and serves as a reference standard for the field.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2023, this consensus comes at a critical time as ghrelin-targeted therapies advance and the LEAP2 discovery adds a new dimension to ghrelin pharmacology. The standardized terminology should improve clarity in the rapidly growing literature.
- Original Title:
- Toward a consensus nomenclature for ghrelin, its non-acylated form, liver expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 and growth hormone secretagogue receptor.
- Published In:
- Journal of neuroendocrinology, 35(1), e13224 (2023)
- Authors:
- Perelló, Mario(3), Dickson, Suzanne L(4), Zigman, Jeffrey M(6), Leggio, Lorenzo
- Database ID:
- RPEP-07270
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ghrelin and why is it called the 'hunger hormone'?
Ghrelin is a peptide hormone produced mainly in the stomach that signals the brain to stimulate appetite. It rises before meals and drops after eating. Beyond hunger, ghrelin also triggers growth hormone release, influences reward-seeking behavior, helps regulate blood sugar, and controls gut movement. It was discovered in 1999.
What is LEAP2 and why is it important?
LEAP2 (liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2) was recently identified as a natural blocker of the ghrelin receptor. It acts as the body's own 'off switch' for ghrelin signaling. This discovery is significant because boosting LEAP2 or mimicking its action could potentially reduce appetite and treat obesity — essentially turning down the hunger signal without needing to block it externally.
Read More on RethinkPeptides
Related articles coming soon.
Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-07270APA
Perelló, Mario; Dickson, Suzanne L; Zigman, Jeffrey M; Leggio, Lorenzo. (2023). Toward a consensus nomenclature for ghrelin, its non-acylated form, liver expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 and growth hormone secretagogue receptor.. Journal of neuroendocrinology, 35(1), e13224. https://doi.org/10.1111/jne.13224
MLA
Perelló, Mario, et al. "Toward a consensus nomenclature for ghrelin, its non-acylated form, liver expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 and growth hormone secretagogue receptor.." Journal of neuroendocrinology, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1111/jne.13224
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Toward a consensus nomenclature for ghrelin, its non-acylate..." RPEP-07270. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/perello-2023-toward-a-consensus-nomenclature
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.