Starfish & Humans Share a 500-Million-Year-Old Hunger Switch!

A hunger-regulating hormone in humans has ancient origins in starfish.

Highlights:

Scientists traced the appetite hormone bombesin back 500 million years
Starfish use a similar hormone, ArBN, to control their feeding behavior
This discovery may lead to new treatments for obesity and marine conservation

Did you know that a tiny hormone controlling your hunger has been around for over 500 million years? Scientists have uncovered that bombesin, a key appetite-regulating hormone in humans, also exists in starfish!. Bombesin receptors influence obesity (). This ancient discovery sheds light on how hunger control evolved across species. Not only could this lead to new weight-loss treatments, but it may also help manage starfish invasions affecting marine ecosystems.

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‘Did You Know?
A hunger hormone in humans existed 500 million years ago in starfish! #hormones #evolution #medindia’

500-Million-Year-Old Hunger Secret!

Ever wondered what controls your hunger? Scientists have uncovered that bombesin, a hormone regulating appetite in humans, has existed for over 500 million years! Even more astonishing, starfish use a similar hormone, ArBN, to control their unique way of eating—ejecting and retracting their stomachs. This ancient connection between humans and starfish is rewriting what we know about appetite evolution!

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Starfish Reveal Evolution’s Secrets

The effect of ArBN on stomach retraction in starfish was discovered through research at Queen Mary University. It was found that this process is similar to how bombesin induces a feeling of fullness in humans. This connection reveals an ancient mechanism of appetite regulation. Through this discovery, new insights into the evolution of hunger control have been gained.Because of their elevated expression in a range of human malignancies, such as those of the prostate, breast, small cell lung, and pancreatic cells, bombesin (Bn) receptors have demonstrated significant potential for tumor targeting ().

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From Starfish to Weight Loss Drugs

The discovery of ArBN in starfish could pave the way for groundbreaking weight-loss treatments by inspiring new appetite-suppressing drugs. Scientists believe that mimicking this ancient hunger-regulating mechanism may offer new solutions for obesity. Additionally, understanding how ArBN controls starfish feeding could help manage marine invasions that threaten shellfish farms. This research not only deepens our knowledge of evolution but also holds exciting medical and environmental applications. Bombesin-related peptides and their potential to revolutionize treatments in obesity, cancer, and neurological disorders ().

References:

Bombesin-related peptides and their receptors: recent advances in their role in physiology and disease states - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18185064/)
Bombesin receptors as potential targets for anticancer drug delivery and imaging - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31295552/)

Source-Medindia

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