High affinity binding of cholecystokinin to small cell lung cancer cells.

The binding of 125I-Bolton Hunter-cholecystokinin octapeptide (125I-BH-CCK-8) to small cell lung cancer cell lines was investigated. 125I-BH-CCK-8 bound with high affinity (Kd = 2.4 nM) to an apparent single class of sites (1700/cell) using cell line NCI-H209. Binding was time dependent and the ratio of specific/nonspecific binding was 8/1. Pharmacology studies indicated that gastrin, caerulein, CCK-33 and nonsulfated CCK-8 were potent inhibitors of specific 125I-BH-CCK-8 binding whereas CCK-26-32-NH2 was not. Because CCK receptors are present on small cell lung cancer cells, CCK may function as a regulatory peptide in this disease.