Ghrelin (rat) (palmitoyl) (trifluoroacetate salt)

Ghrelin is an endogenous gastrointestinal hormone and neuropeptide that binds to the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). Ghrelin requires an n-octanoyl modification at serine 3 for binding to GHS-R. Ghrelin (rat) (palmitoyl) is a palmitoylated form of ghrelin. Palmitoylated ghrelin is an agonist of GHS-R with a similar potency as octanoyl-ghrelin in HEK293 cells expressing human GHS-R1a (IC50 = 0.87 nM; EC50 = 8.3 nM for increasing calcium accumulation). In mice, palmitoylated ghrelin (0.9 nmol, i.c.v.) increases food intake after 24 hours but not at shorter timepoints of two and four hours. It also increases fat mass without effects on locomotor activity or energy expenditure.