Endocrine Abstracts

Ghrelin, the endogenous ligand for the GH secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHS-R1a), is a peptide with a post-translational octanoyl modification on Ser-3. Previous studies of ghrelin derivatives showed that the pendant group at Ser-3 plays an essential role in the bioactivity. The acylated peptide specifically releases growth hormone (GH) both in vivo and in vitro, while the desoctanoyl form of the hormone is at least 100-fold less potent than the parent peptide.<p class="a...