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Bombesin

(Science: endocrinology) Tetradecapeptide neurohormone with paracrine/autocrine effects first isolated from skin of fire bellied toad Bombina bombina), mammalian equivalent is gastrin-releasing peptide.

bombesin cross reacts with gastrin-releasing peptide receptors. Both are mitogenic for Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts at nanomolar levels. Neuropeptides of this type are found in many tissues and at high levels in pulmonary (small cell carcinoma) and thyroid tumours.