Motilin receptor: a model for development of prokinetics.

Erythromycin and related macrolides act as smooth muscle and neural receptors to contract rabbit duodenum and induce phase III migrating motor complex (MMC) activity in intact dogs. A recently developed motilin antagonist confirms that motility effects of erythromycin are mediated by motilin receptors. Despite species, organ, and tissue heterogeneity of motilin receptors, binding experiments with rodent antral smooth muscle tissue provide a good model for the development of this new class of prokinetics.