Kinetensin is a neurotensin-like peptide isolated from pepsin-treated human plasma.
The peptide kinetensin isolated from pepsin-treated human plasma induces a dose-dependent release of histamine when exposed to rat peritoneal mast cells. The threshold concentration is around 1 μM, the ED50 is 10 μM, and the optimal concentration of between 100 to 1000 μM released 80% of the total histamine. Kinetensin is 10 to 100 times less potent than neurotensin and equipotent with the opioid peptide dynorphin. The histamine release is clearly temperature-dependent, with no release occurring at 0 or 45 °C and with an optimum around 37 °C. The histamine release is significantly reduced in the absence of extracellular calcium[2].
Kinetensin also induces a dose-dependent increase in vascular permeability when injected intradermally into rats[2].
References:
[1]. Mogard MH, et al. The amino acid sequence of kinetensin, a novel peptide isolated from pepsin-treated human plasma: homology with human serum albumin, neurotensin and angiotensin. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1986 May 14;136(3):983-8.
[2]. Sydbom A, et al. Stimulation of histamine release by the peptide kinetensin. Agents Actions. 1989 Apr;27(1-2):68-71.