Journal article

Pro-GRP-derived peptides are expressed in colorectal cancer cells and tumors and are biologically active in vivo

O Patel, D Clyde, M Chang, MS Nordlund, R Steel, BE Kemp, DM Pritchard, A Shulkes, GS Baldwin

Endocrinology | Published : 2012

Abstract

Amidated gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is the prototypical autocrine growth factor. Nonamidated peptides derived from the C terminus of pro-GRP are also biologically active in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines in vitro, via a receptor distinct from the GRP receptor. The aims of this study were to measure the amounts of pro-GRP-derived peptides in human CRC cell lines and tumors, characterize the immunoreactive peptide, and investigate its effect on proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Pro-GRP-derived peptides were quantitated by region-specific ELISA in extracts of five human CRC cell lines and 20 tumors. The immunoreactive material was purified by HPLC and its mass and sequence establishe..

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