title: Expression in brain of a messenger RNA encoding a novel neuropeptide homologous to calcitonin gene-related peptide.
abstract: As a consequence of alternative RNA processing events, a single rat gene can generate messenger RNA's (mRNA's) encoding either calcitonin or a neuropeptide referred to as alpha-type calcitonin gene-related peptide (alpha-CGRP). An mRNA product of a related gene has been identified in rat brain and thyroid encoding the protein precursor of a peptide differing from alpha-CGRP by only a single amino acid. The RNA encoding this peptide, which is referred to as beta-CGRP, appears to be the only mature transcript of the beta-CGRP gene. Hybridization histochemistry reveals a similar distribution of alpha- and beta-CGRP mRNA's, but their relative levels of expression vary in different cranial nerve nuclei. Thus beta-CGRP is a new member of a family of related genes with potential functions in regulating the transduction of sensory and motor information.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide