title: Alternative RNA processing: determining neuronal phenotype.
abstract: On the basis of an analysis of the human and rat calcitonin genes and of a related gene, alternative RNA processing represents a developmental strategy of the brain to dictate tissue-specific patterns of polypeptide synthesis. This regulation allows the calcitonin gene to generate two messenger RNA's, one encoding the precursor of a novel neuropeptide, referred to as CGRP, which predominates in the brain, and the second encoding the precursor to the hormone calcitonin which predominates in thyroid C cells. The distribution of CGRP in the central and peripheral nervous system and in endocrine and other organ systems suggests potential functions in nociception, ingestive behavior, cardiovascular homeostasis, and mineral metabolism.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000235:genetics*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D005796:Genes; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D002116:Calcitonin; D004247:DNA; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide