Molecular characterization of the bovine GHRL gene (Short Communication)

Bovine ghrelin, a 27 amino acid peptide, has been identified in oxyntic glands of the abomasum. It is an endogenous ligand for growth hormone secretagogue receptor and stimulates food intake and growth hormone secretion. The bovine GHRL gene was completely sequenced and consists of five exons and four introns. Like mouse and human GHRL genes, we found that the bovine GHRL gene also contains a first non-coding exon of 21 bp. The bovine GHRL gene codes for 116 amino acid peptide named preproghrelin which contains the ghrelin peptide and another peptide similar to obestatin. Sequence analysis revealed eight polymorphisms, which are located in the non-coding sequence of the gene.