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Gastrointestinal Peptides intermediate

Motilin: Endogenous Peptide Hormone Reference

22-amino acid gut hormone that stimulates gastric and intestinal motility through the migrating motor complex. This peptide or oligopeptide is studied for it...

By Encyclopeptide Editorial | 2 min read
hormone motility gut-hormone MMC

Chemical Identity

PropertyValue
Chemical FormulaC120H188N34O36S
Molecular Weight2699 Da
Peptide ClassGut Hormone (22 amino acids)
SequenceFVPIFTYGELQRMQEKERNKGQ
ReceptorMotilin receptor (GPR38)

Structure

Motilin is a 22-amino acid peptide hormone produced by Mo cells in the duodenal and jejunal mucosa. It shares structural homology with ghrelin, and their receptors (motilin receptor and ghrelin receptor) are closely related. The peptide lacks disulfide bonds and has a linear structure.

Mechanism of Action

Motilin binds motilin receptors on gastrointestinal smooth muscle and enteric neurons, stimulating gastric and intestinal contractions. It is the primary hormonal regulator of the migrating motor complex (MMC), the interdigestive pattern of contractions that sweeps residual material through the gut during fasting.

Clinical Applications

  • Gastroparesis: Motilin receptor agonists (erythromycin) stimulate gastric emptying
  • Postoperative ileus: Prokinetic therapy
  • Functional dyspepsia: Investigational motilin agonists
  • MMC regulation: Fasting motility pattern control

Pharmacology

  • Half-life: 4-5 minutes
  • Release: Cyclical (every 90-120 minutes during fasting)
  • Peak: Late phase II of MMC
  • Erythromycin: Motilin receptor agonist (prokinetic mechanism)
  • Cross-reactivity: Some with ghrelin receptor

References

  • Brown, J.C., et al. (1972). Motilin: a gastric motor activity stimulating polypeptide. Canadian Journal of Biochemistry, 50, 1149-1152.
  • Peeters, T.L. (1993). Erythromycin and motilin agonists. Journal of Gastrointestinal Motility, 5, 231-237.

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