Pyroglutamyl-histidyl-glycine (pEHG) is an endogenous tripeptide that acts as a tissue-specific

antimitotic A mitotic inhibitor is a drug that inhibits mitosis, or cell division. These drugs disrupt microtubules, which are structures that pull the chromosomes apart when a cell divides. Mitotic inhibitors are used in cancer treatment, because cancer cel ...

and selectively inhibits the proliferation of colon epithelial cells. Early research indicated that pEHG had

anorectic An anorectic or anorexic is a drug which reduces appetite, resulting in lower food consumption, leading to weight loss. By contrast, an appetite stimulant is referred to as orexigenic. The term is (from the Greek ''ἀν-'' (an-) = "without" a ...

effects in mice and was possibly involved in the pathophysiology of

anorexia nervosa Anorexia nervosa, often referred to simply as anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by low weight, food restriction, body image disturbance, fear of gaining weight, and an overpowering desire to be thin. ''Anorexia'' is a term of Gr ...

. However, subsequent studies have found that pEHG lacks anorectic effects and does not alter food intake in mice.

References

Tripeptides {{biochem-stub