Bombesin-like peptides in small cell lung cancer: Biochemical characterization and secretion from a cell line

Terry W. Moody, Edward K. Russell, Thomas L. O'Donohue, Carol D. Linden, Adi F. Gazdar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

High intracellular levels of BN-like peptides are present in tumors and cell lines of small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL) as well as the putative precursor cells of this tumor, the pulmonary endocrine cell. In cell line NCI-H209 the density of bombesin-like peptides was 8.9 ± 1.1 pmol/mg total protein. Gel filtration chromatography of an extract of these cells revealed one major peak of immunoreactivity which coeluted with synthetic bombesin (1620 daltons). Also, high pressure liquid chromatography revealed one major peak of immunoreactivity was present which eluted before synthetic peptide. Therefore, SCCL bombesin-like peptides may be of similar size but are more hydrophilic than synthetic peptide. Cells maintained in culture continuously release bombesin-like peptides into the growth medium. Also, high concentrations of K+ stimulated the secretion of immunoreactive bombesin from cell lines in a Ca++-dependent manner. These SCCL bombesin-like peptides may function as important regulatory agents in the malignant lung.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)487-493
Number of pages7
JournalLife Sciences
Volume32
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 31 1983

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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