Molecular cloning of motilin and mechanism of motilin-induced gastrointestinal motility in Japanese quail.

•The cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences of quail motilin were determined.•Motilin-producing cells were observed as open- and closed-type cells in quail small intestine.•Motilin-induced contractions in the gastrointestinal tract of quail occur via neural and smooth muscle direct pathways.