Gastrin-34 is also referred to as Big Gastrin. Secretion of gastrin is induced by food intake and causes the release of gastric acid in the stomach. Secreted by the G cells in the gastric mucosa, it is one of the major bioactive forms of gastrin found in tissue and plasma (the other bioactive form is gastrin-17 or little gastrin). Both gastrin-17 and gastrin-34 are carboxy-amidated and partially tyrosine sulfated. Binding of gastrin to the CCK2/gastrin receptor requires carboxy-amidation, however sulfation is not necessary for binding to the receptor. Binding of Gastrin to the CCK2/gastrin receptors on parietal cells of the stomach causes them to secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl) and stimulates lectin-like protein Reg expression via activation of PKC and RhoA. Gastrin also plays a role in release of Histamine and Pepsinogen.
Boel E, Vuust J, Norris F, et al. Molecular cloning of human gastrin cDNA: evidence for evolution of gastrin by gene duplication. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1983;80(10):2866-9.