title: Biological importance of the peptides of the calcitonin family as revealed by disruption and transfer of corresponding genes.
abstract: The hormone calcitonin (CT) of thyroid C-cell origin, the neuropeptides alpha- and beta-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), the widely expressed hormone and tissue factor adrenomedullin (AM), and amylin (AMY) that is co-produced with insulin in pancreatic beta-cells, are structurally related peptides. They have in common six or seven amino acid ring structures, linked by disulfide bridges between cysteine residues, and amidated carboxyl termini that are both required for biological activity. The actions of the peptides in vivo have traditionally been studied after intravenous and intracerebroventricular administration. As a result, CT lowers serum calcium and reduces pain perception. alpha- and beta CGRP and AM are highly potent vasodilatory peptides. AMY inhibits food intake through its action in the area postrema of the brain. Physiological actions of the peptides summarized in the present review have been defined through gene knockout and overexpression strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Research Laboratory for Calcium Metabolism, University of Zurich, Balgrist University Hospital, Forchstrasse 340, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland. rmuff@calab.balgrist.ch
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muff
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Born
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: Jan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fischer
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D053607:Adrenomedullin; D000682:Amyloid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D015870:Gene Expression; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D019076:Transgenes
chemical_list: D000682:Amyloid; D010455:Peptides; D053607:Adrenomedullin; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide