Design and characterization of a fluorescent ghrelin analog for imaging the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a

►Ghrelin as a fluorescent imaging probe. ►Synthesis of fluorescein-ghrelin(1-18). ►Imaging of GHS-R1a binding and internalization. ►Fluorescein-ghrelin(1-18) binds specifically to heart tissue. ►First study showing use of ghrelin for imaging.