bombesin

Bombesin is a 14-amino acid peptide originally isolated from the skin of the European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina). It acts as a neurohormone and has two known homologs in mammals—neuromedin B and gastrin-releasing peptide. Bombesin stimulates gastrin release from G cells in the gastrointestinal tract and activates three different G-protein-coupled receptors (gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, neuromedin B receptor, and bombesin receptor subtype 3), both peripherally and in the brain. It is involved in negative feedback regulation of feeding behavior alongside cholecystokinin. Bombesin also serves as a tumor marker for small cell lung carcinoma, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, and neuroblastoma. In research settings, it has been investigated for its role as an autocrine growth factor in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and is under clinical investigation for imaging applications such as PET/CT scans in prostate cancer[1][2][3][4][5]. Bombesin is primarily used experimentally or investigationally; it does not have approved pharmaceutical uses but plays an important role as a research tool for studying gastrointestinal hormones, appetite regulation, tumor biology (especially SCLC), and targeted drug delivery systems[1][3]. Some commercial suppliers previously offered synthetic bombesin peptides for laboratory use but have discontinued these products[5].

Other names

BBSBB