Evolution of gastrointestinal hormones: the cholecystokinin/gastrin family

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe recent advances in our understanding of the evolution of gastrointestinal hormones, with the gastrin/cholecystokinin (CCK) family as a model. RECENT FINDINGS: The release of 11 genomic sequences in the last year has provided a wealth of additional information on peptide hormone sequences. The alternative approach of reverse genetics has identified a separate class of CCK receptor ligands in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. SUMMARY: Three classes of ligands, insect sulfakinins, nematode neuropeptide-like proteins and vertebrate gastrins/cholecystokinins, have now been described for the family of CCK receptors. Although all terminate in an amidated phenylalan..