JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY, cilt.46, sa.4, ss.469-478, 2011 (SCI-Expanded)
Ghrelin is the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). Ghrelin regulates feeding activity and interdigestive contractions of the stomach in rodents. To investigate the role of endogenous ghrelin in the digestive system, we have developed GHSR-mutant rats, named FHH-Ghsr m1Mcwi, using the Fawn-Hooded Hypertensive (FHH) parental strain. Methods N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) was used as a mutagen. Genomic DNA prepared from a tail clip was analyzed using the targeting induced local lesions in genomes (TILLING) approach. The non-synonymous mutation in position 343 (NM_032075) led to the generation of a premature stop codon, causing deletion of the last 22 amino acids at the C-terminal of ghrelin receptor protein. Spontaneous and ghrelin-stimulated food intake was measured in wild-type (WT) FHH and FHH-Ghsr m1Mcwi rats. For interdigestive motility recording, two strain gauge transducers were sutured on the antrum and duodenum