Structure-Function Relationship of Gastrin Hormones: A Rational Approach to Drug Design

The gastrins are a family of gastro-intestinal peptide hormones performing a wide range of biological functions in the digestive process. The sequences of the most common forms of gastrins are the following: pGlu-Leu-Gly-Pro-Gln-Gly-His-Pro-Ser-Leu-Val-Ala-Asp-Pro-Ser-Lys-Lys-Gln-Gly- Pro-Trp-Leu-(Glu)5-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH2 (big gastrin); pGlu-Gly-Pro-Trp-Leu-(Glu)5-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH2 (little gastrin); H-Trp-Leu-(Glu)5-Ala-Tyr-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH2 (minigastrin).