Pro-Gastrin Releasing Peptide (ProGRP)

Pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP) was the new prognostic marker of lung cancer. PreproGRP begins with signal peptidase cleavage to generate the proGRP, which is then processed (by proteolytic cleavages), to form smaller GRP peptides. PreproGRP begins with signal peptidase cleavage to generate the proGRP, which is then processed (by proteolytic cleavages), to form smaller GRP peptides. These smaller peptides are released by the post-ganglionic fibers of the vagus nerve which innervate the G cells of the stomach and stimulate them to release gastrin. GRP regulates numerous functions of the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems, including release of gastrointestinal hormones, smooth muscle cell contraction, and epithelial cell proliferation. These peptides are also likely to play a role in human cancers of the lung, colon, stomach, pancreas, breast, and prostate.