Abstract

In this study we provide evidence for the presence of the aberrant peptide, Ile-Ser-bradykinin, in various human malignant exudates. The peptide was detected by deproteinisation of the effusion, application to reversed-phase HPLC, collection of the fractions containing Ile-Ser-bradykinin (retention time 6.90 min), degradation with carboxypeptidase B, and rechromatography of the resulting des-Arg-Ile-Ser-bradykinin (des-Arg-ISB) (retention time 13.5 min). In addition, all positive samples were confirmed by amino acid analysis and most of them (7/8) by amino-acid sequencing. In malignant effusions from 8 patients out of a group of 113 patients, Ile-Ser-bradykinin was found in concentrations between 12 and 520 mumol. In 44 malignant effusions, Ile-Ser-bradykinin was suspected, but could not be confirmed by the required additional methods (amino-acid analysis, sequencing) because of its low concentration. Sixty eight benign effusions were negative for Ile-Ser-bradykinin.