This study evaluates the structure-function relationships of the C-terminal peptide fragments of gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK) in the biliary system and the stomach. Dogs with chronic biliary and gastric fistulas were used. Administration of the common fragments of CCK and gastrin with four and five amino acids and the active fragments of CCK with six through eight amino acids without sulfation of tyrosine in position 7 failed to alter hepatic bile flow from control values while significantly stimulating gastric hydrogen ion output. Administration of the seven and eight amino acid peptide fragments of CCK with sulfation of tyrosine in position 7 significantly increased hepatic bile flow. Administration of the sulfated octapeptide with 4 microgram/kg per h of nonsulfated octapeptide did not result in the inhibition of the choleresis produced by the sulfated peptide. The gastric hydrogen ion response produced by the administration of the nonsulfated and sulfated peptide was equal to that of the nonsulfated peptide alone. These results suggest that in the biliary system the receptor is highly specific as sulfation of the peptide fragment of CCK is essential for combining with the receptor, whereas in the stomach the receptor has little specificity and combines with all of the peptide fragments evaluated.