Bombesin Receptor

The bombesin (Bn) receptor family includes the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRPR) and neuromedin B (NMBR) receptors, Bn receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3) and Bn receptor subtype 4 (BB₄). Activation of these receptors mediates a wide spectrum of biological activities including important changes in the central nervous system including satiety, control of circadian rhythm, thermoregulation, and in peripheral tissues including stimulation of gastrointestinal hormone release, activation of macrophages, and effects on development. Bn-related peptides also have potent growth effects causing proliferation of bothnormal cells and various tumor cell lines.

BRS-3 is receiving increased attention, because not only is it important in a number of gastrointestinal (GI) tract and central nervous system (CNS) processes, but also because it is one of the G-protein coupling receptor families most frequently ectopically or overexpressed by a different tumors, including prostate cancer, small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, CNS tumors, and carcinoids (intestinal, thymic, and bronchial).