Identification and characterization of a motilin-like peptide and its receptor in teleost

► A motilin-like gene was identified in teleost and cloned from zebrafish. ► The zebrafish motilin-like precursor encodes for a 17-aa mature peptide. ► The zebrafish motilin-like peptide could activate motilin receptor in cells. ► The zebrafish motilin-like gene is mainly expressed in the intestine. ► The zebrafish motilin receptor gene is highly expressed in brain.