Bombesinlike
Bombesin-like peptides are a family of neuropeptides that resemble bombesin, a peptide originally isolated from amphibian skin. In mammals, the best-characterized members are gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and neuromedin B (NMB). They share a common C-terminal motif and activate a set of bombesin receptors, including GRPR (gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, BB2) and NMBR (neuromedin B receptor, BB1); a third receptor, BRS-3 (bombesin receptor subtype-3), is considered orphan with respect to a clearly defined endogenous ligand.
These peptides are widely distributed in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. Their signaling is
Physiological roles of bombesin-like peptides are diverse and include regulation of gastric acid and pancreatic secretions,
Clinically, bombesin-like signaling is relevant in oncology. Many neuroendocrine tumors and small cell lung carcinomas overexpress
Terminology: the term “bombesin-like” emphasizes similarity to bombesin in receptor activation and sequence, encompassing GRP, NMB,