Overview
The hormone Ghrelin was discovered in 1999 and is involved in a range of important physiological processes including growth hormone release and the regulation of appetite. Our research has shown that ghrelin also has a role in cancer cell growth. We are also investigating the role of a newly discovered hormone which is derived from the same precursor as ghrelin - obestatin. Obestatin stimulates cell growth in prostate and breast and causes cells to migrate more rapidly in ovarian cancer. Our collaborators at the Mater Medical Research Institute are investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of ghrelin and its role as a potential treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.
We have recently reexamined the ghrelin gene and shown that it has an antisense gene on its opposite strand. This newly discovered gene could play a role in the regulation of the level of this important hormone. We have also shown that the ghrelin receptor gene contains an antisense gene. We are studying the role of the ghrelin receptor in prostate cancer and its interactions with other receptors. Ghrelin, obestatin and their receptors could be useful targets for the development of cancer therapies.
- Research leader
- Research team
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QUT
External collaborators
Dr Penny Jeffery
- Organisational unit
- Lead unit Faculty of Health Other units
- Research area
- Cancer
Associate Professor Lisa Chopin
Professor Adrian Herington
Associate Professor Fraser Ross
