Description
Gastrin-releasing peptide (BB2) is an endogenous bombesin-like peptide that stimulates the release of gastrin by binding BB2 receptors; it is involved in feeding behavior (acting as an anorexigenic), circadian rhythms, and stress signaling. BB2 induces scratching behavior in vivo and exhibits pro-angiogenic activity in cancer models, inducing expression of IL-8 in a hepatocyte growth factor-dependent manner in gastric cancer cells.