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- *******************************************
- * Bombesin-like peptides family signature *
- *******************************************
-
- Bombesin-like peptides comprise a large family of peptides which were
- initially isolated from amphibian skin, where they stimulate smooth muscle
- contraction. They were later found to be widely distributed in mammalian
- neural and endocrine cells. The amphibian peptides which belong to this
- family are currently classified into three subfamilies [1,2]:
-
- - The Bombesin group, which includes bombesin and alytesin.
- - The Ranatensin group, which includes ranatensins, litorin, and Rohdei
- litorin.
- - The Phyllolitorin group, which includes Leu(8)- and Phe(8)-phyllolitorins.
-
- In mammals and birds two categories of bombesin-like peptides are known [3,4]:
-
- - Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), which stimulates the release of gastrin as
- well as other gastrointestinal hormones.
- - Neuromedin B (NMB), a neuropeptide whose function is not yet clear.
-
- Bombesin-like peptides, like many other active peptides, are synthesized as
- larger protein precursors that are enzymatically converted to their mature
- forms. The final peptides are eight to fourteen residues long. As a signature
- pattern, we have chosen the last seven residues in the C-terminal, which
- are conserved and are essential for the biological activity.
-
- -Consensus pattern: W-A-x-G-[SH]-[LF]-M
- -Sequences known to belong to this class detected by the pattern: ALL.
- -Other sequence(s) detected in SWISS-PROT: NONE.
-
- -Note: in positions 5 to 6 of the pattern, bombesins and GRP have His-Leu, NMB
- and ranatensins have His-Phe, and phyllolitorins have Ser-(Leu or Phe).
-
- -Last update: January 1989 / First entry.
-
- [ 1] Erspamer V., Falconieri Erspamer G., Mazzanti G., Endean R.
- Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 77C:99-108(1984).
- [ 2] Erspamer V., Melchiorri P., Falconieri Erspamer G., Montecucchi P.C.,
- de Castiglione R.
- Peptides 6 Suppl. 3:7-12(1985).
- [ 3] Spindel E.R.
- Trends Neurosci. 9:130-133(1986).
- [ 4] Krane I.M., Naylor S.L., Helin-Davis D., Chin W.W., Spindel E.R.
- J. Biol. Chem. 263:13317-13323(1988).
-