Description and references

Pharmacologically active tetradecapeptide found in skins of European amphibians of the family Discoglossidae, principally Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata variegata. Isoln and structure: A. Anastasi et al., Experientia 27, 166 (1971). Pharmacological activity: V. Erspamer et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 22, 875 (1970). Synthesis: L. Bernardi et al., Experientia 27, 873 (1971). It is a potent stimulant of gastric and pancreatic secretions in mammals; a bombesin-like immunoreactive peptide is found in both brain and gut, cf. J. M. Polak et al., Lancet 1, 1109 (1976). Other actions include hypertensive reactions, antidiuresis, and hyperglycemic activity. Bombesin has been shown to have a strong effect on core temperature lowering in rats: M. Brown et al., Science 196, 996 (1977). High levels of intracellular bombesin have also been found in human small-cell lung carcinoma: T. W. Moody et al., ibid. 214, 1246 (1981). Brief review of chemistry, isoln, purification: V. Mutt, Biochem. Soc. Trans. 8, 11 (1980). Effect on suppression of food intake: J. Gibbs et al., Nature 282, 208 (1979). Pharmacological reviews: G. Bertaccini, Pharmacol. Rev. 28, 127 (1976); S. R. Bloom, J. M. Polak, Adv. Clin. Chem. 21, 177 (1980).

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