Functionally distinct receptors for cholecystokinin and gastrin on dispersed chief cells from guinea pig stomach.

Caerulein, gastrin, and C-terminal fragments of cholecystokinin (CCK) varying in length from eight (CCK-8) to four (CCK-4) amino acids stimulate pepsinogen secretion from dispersed chief cells prepared from guinea pig stomach. C-terminal fragments of CCK containing fewer than four amino acids, even when tested at concentrations as high as 3 mM, do not stimulate pepsinogen secretion. The efficacies of gastrin and the various CCK-related peptides, coupled with the pattern of action of CCK receptor antagonists, indicate that chief cells from guinea pig stomach possess two functionally distinct classes of receptors, C-receptors and G-receptors. The C-receptors can be occupied by caerulein, CCK-8, CCK-7, des(SO3)CCK-8, or des(SO3)CCK-7, and occupation of C-receptors causes full stimulation of pepsinogen secretion. G-receptors can be occupied by gastrin I, gastrin II, CCK-6, CCK-5, or CCK-4, and occupation of G-receptors causes stimulation of pepsinogen secretion that is 60% of maximal.