title: Calcitonin gene-related peptide: physiology and pathophysiology.
abstract: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a 37-amino acid neuropeptide. Discovered 30 years ago, it is produced as a consequence of alternative RNA processing of the calcitonin gene. CGRP has two major forms (α and β). It belongs to a group of peptides that all act on an unusual receptor family. These receptors consist of calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) linked to an essential receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP) that is necessary for full functionality. CGRP is a highly potent vasodilator and, partly as a consequence, possesses protective mechanisms that are important for physiological and pathological conditions involving the cardiovascular system and wound healing. CGRP is primarily released from sensory nerves and thus is implicated in pain pathways. The proven ability of CGRP antagonists to alleviate migraine has been of most interest in terms of drug development, and knowledge to date concerning this potential therapeutic area is discussed. Other areas covered, where there is less information known on CGRP, include arthritis, skin conditions, diabetes, and obesity. It is concluded that CGRP is an important peptide in mammalian biology, but it is too early at present to know if new medicines for disease treatment will emerge from our knowledge concerning this molecule.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, BHF Centre of Research Excellence & Centre of Integrative Biomedicine, King's College London, Waterloo Campus, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, BHF Centre of Research Excellence & Centre of Integrative Biomedicine, King's College London, Waterloo Campus, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, BHF Centre of Research Excellence & Centre of Integrative Biomedicine, King's College London, Waterloo Campus, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S-J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Smillie
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, BHF Centre of Research Excellence & Centre of Integrative Biomedicine, King's College London, Waterloo Campus, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Kodji
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, BHF Centre of Research Excellence & Centre of Integrative Biomedicine, King's College London, Waterloo Campus, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Brain
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000378:metabolism; D018015:Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D018015:Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide