title: Amylin in bone conservation current evidence and hypothetical Considerations.
abstract: Amylin, a 37-amino-acid long single-chain polypeptide, is structurally homologous to calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). The peptide is secreted from pancreatic beta cells and is thought to have an anti-insulin action. Here, we review the recently described effects of amylin on calcium homeostasis and discuss its possible role in bone conservation. Amylin is a potent hypocalcemic and antiresorptive peptide. Studies using isolated osteoclasts have revealed that amylin inhibits cell motility (Q effect), without affecting cell spread area or elevating cytosolic [Ca(2+)]. Thus, amylin action is similar to that of calcitonin, but lower in potency. Lower circulating concentrations of amylin in type-1 diabetes may cause the bone loss associated with this condition.
authors.affiliation: Bone Research Unit, Division of Biochemical Medicine, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London SW 17 ORE, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaidi
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Shankar
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pazianas
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Bloom