Metallopeptides with a sequence of a biologically active alpha-melanocyte
stimulating hormone (.alpha.-MSH), gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone
(.gamma.-MSH), or bombesin sequence of length n residues, wherein a
residue including a nitrogen atom and sulfur atom each available for
complexation to a metal ion is inserted at any position from between the
two and three position to the C-terminus side of the n position, or
alternatively is substituted for the residue at any position from the
three position to the n position, with a metal ion complexed thereto,
with any proline (Pro) residue which is either of the two residues on the
immediately adjacent N-terminus side of the inserted or substituent
residue comprising a nitrogen atom and sulfur atom available for
complexation to a metal ion is substituted with a homolog.