GHSR

GHSR (Growth hormone secretagogue receptor) is a seven transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor with high expression in the anterior pituitary, pancreatic islets, thyroid gland, heart and various regions of the brain. Two types of GHS-R are accepted to be present, GHS-R1a and GHS-R1b.

Ghrelin is a gastric polypeptide displaying strong GH-releasing activity by activation of the GHS-R1a located in the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. GHS-R1a is a G-protein-coupled receptor that, upon the binding of ghrelin or synthetic peptidyl and non-peptidyl ghrelin-mimetic agents known as GHS, preferentially couples to G_q, ultimately leading to increased intracellular calcium content. Beside the potent GH-releasing action, ghrelin and GHS influence food intake, gut motility, sleep, memory and behavior, glucose and lipid metabolism, cardiovascular performances, cell proliferation, immunological responses and reproduction.