Mole ghrelin: cDNA cloning, gene expression, and diverse molecular forms in Mogera imaizumii.

•Ghrelin gene of Japanese true mole is similar with terrestrial animals.•Mature mole ghrelin peptide was predicted to be 28 amino acids.•Ghrelin peptides with lipidation at third serine residue were purified from stomach.•The mole ghrelin had higher ratios of the odd-number fatty acids (C9 and C11).•Truncated forms and des-Gln14 ghrelin were produced in the stomach.