Calcitonin and calcitonin receptors: bone and beyond.
Calcitonin (CT), a 32 amino acid peptide hormone produced primarily by the thyroid, and its receptor (CTR) are well known for their ability to regulate osteoclast mediated bone resorption and enhance Ca2+ excretion by the kidney. However, recent studies now suggest that CT and CTRs may play an important role in a variety of processes as wide ranging as embryonic/foetal development and sperm function/physiology. In this review article, CT and CTR gene transcription, signal transduction and function are addressed. The effects of CT on the physiology of a variety of organ systems are discussed and the relationship between polymorphisms in the CTR gene and bone mineral density (BMD)/osteoporosis is examined. Recent studies demonstrating the ability of receptor activity modifying proteins (RAMPs) to post-translationally modify the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) are detailed and studies employing transgenic mouse technology to determine the temporal and tissue specific transcriptional activity of the CTR gene in vivo are discussed.
Pondel
M
M
Department of Cellular Pathology, St. George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK. mpondel@sghms.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D010001:Osteitis Deformans / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000502:physiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D018003:Receptors, Calcitonin / Q000502:physiology*; D018015:Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000502:physiology
D020033:Protein Isoforms; D018003:Receptors, Calcitonin; D018015:Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide