Dispensability of Both the Amide of Phenylalanine and the Carboxyl Group of Aspartic Acid for the Stimulation of Gastric Acid Secretion by Gastrin Peptides in Dogs

Abstract

Two derivatives of the C-terminal tripeptide of gastrin devoid of -NH2 from the phenylalanyl residue and of -COOH from the aspartic acid, MBOC-Met.Asn.Phe-OH (I) and MBOC-Met.Asp-OBenz.Phe-OMe (II), stimulated gastric acid secretion in the dog when infused intravenously at doses of 100 to 400 mug/kg-hr. Maximal responses induced by I and II were about 30-40% of that induced by the C-terminal tetrapeptide of gastrin. At a dose of 600 mug/kg-hr, I had an inhibitory action while II initially augmented and then inhibited acid production. Neither the C-terminal amide nor the carboxyl group of the aspartyl residue is essential for the gastric stimulatory activity of gastrin peptides.