Kassinin is a tachykinin neuropeptide and agonist of the neurokinin-2 (NK2) and NK3 receptors.1,2,3,4 It is selective for the NK2 and NK3 receptors over the NK1 receptor.4 Kassinin (1 µM) increases the short-circuit current in isolated frog skin.5 It induces contractions in isolated guinea pig ileum and isolated rabbit jejunum in a concentration-dependent manner.3 Kassinin decreases blood pressure in anesthetized guinea pigs (ED50 = 1,832 pmol/kg).2
References:
[1].Anastasi, A., Montecucchi, P., Erspamer, V., et al.Amino acid composition and sequence of kassinin, a tachykinin dodecapeptide from the skin of the African frog Kassina senegalensisExperientia33(7)857-858(1977).
[2].Hancock, J.C., and Hoover, D.B.Effect of substance P and other tachykinins on arterial pressure in guinea-pigsJ. Auton. Pharmacol.5(1)25-30(1985).
[3].Holzer-Petsche, U., Schimek, E., Amann, R., et al.In vivo and in vitro actions of mammalian tachykininsNaunyn Schmiedebergs Arch. Pharmacol.330(2)130-135(1985).
[4].Regoli, D., Drapeau, G., Dion, S., et al.New selective agonists for neurokinin receptors: pharmacological tools for receptor characterizationTrends Pharmacol. Sci.9(8)290-295(1988).
[5].Lippe, C., Bellantuono, V., Ardizzone, C., et al.Eledoisin and Kassinin, but not Enterokassinin, stimulate ion transport in frog skinPeptides25(11)1971-1975(2004).