GRP-preferring bombesin receptor subtype mediates contractile activity in cat terminal ileum

Mammalian bombesin-like peptides, such as gastrin-releasing peptide and neuromedin B, are known to increase motility of different segments in the gut. The present study was carried out to identify the receptor subtype mediating these contractions of ileal longitudinal muscles in cats, in vitro. Both gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and neuromedin B (NMB) evoked concentration-dependent contractions of the strips. [D-Phe6]Bombesin(6-13)-methyl-ester, a highly selective GRP-preferring receptor antagonist, competitively inhibited contractions induced by either agonist. On the other hand, D-Nal-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Nal-NH2, a selective NMB receptor antagonist, did not affect the actions of either gastrin-releasing peptide or neuromedin B. Our results suggest that bombesin-like peptides contract cat terminal ileum via activating GRP receptors.