Ghrelin-producing cell

Ghrelin-producing cells are specialized endocrine cells, primarily located in the gastric mucosa but also present throughout the gastrointestinal tract and in smaller numbers in organs such as the pancreas and hypothalamus. These cells synthesize and secrete **ghrelin**, a 28-amino-acid peptide hormone, into the bloodstream in response to various physiological cues. Ghrelin acts as an orexigenic (appetite-stimulating) hormone and plays a key role in energy homeostasis, growth hormone release, gastrointestinal motility, glucose metabolism, and several other neuroendocrine functions. The primary molecular target of ghrelin is the **Growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR)**, a G protein-coupled receptor. Ghrelin-producing cells are classified as "closed-type" (not in contact with GI tract lumen) in the stomach and "open-type" (in contact with lumen) elsewhere in the GI tract.

Other names

X/A-like cell (in rodents)P/D1 cell (in humans)ghrelin cellgastric endocrine cell producing ghrelin

Not applicable for drugs directly targeting the cell; for drugs targeting the ghrelin pathway, typical mechanisms include GHSR agonism or antagonism