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Figure 1 .
Schematic representation of the pathway of gastrin biosynthesis and the biological properties of the products. Open arrows show the conversion steps by which preprogastrin is converted to amidated gastrins. This sequence of events is completed in G cells but in colorectal cancer cells the main products are progastrin and Gly-gastrin. Progastrin and Gly-gastrins stimulate colon proliferation. Amidated gastrins play a minor role in control of colon proliferation but stimulate acid secretion and gastric proliferation via the gastrin-CCKB receptor (at which progastrin and Gly-gastrin have low affinity).