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Production of a novel neuropeptide encoded by the calcitonin gene via tissue-specific RNA processing

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Abstract

Alternative processing of the RNA transcribed from the calcitonin gene appears to result in the production of a messenger RNA in neural tissue distinct from that in thyroidal ‘C’ cells. The thyroid mRNA encodes a precursor to the hormone calcitonin whereas that in neural tissues generates a novel neuropeptide, referred to as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). The distribution of CGRP-producing cells and pathways in the brain and other tissues suggests functions for the peptide in nociception, ingestive behaviour and modulation of the autonomic and endocrine systems. The approach described here permits the application of recombinant DNA technology to analyses of complex neurobiological systems in the absence of prior structural or biological information.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eukaryotic Regulatory Biology Program, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093, USA

    Michael G. Rosenfeld, Jean-Jacques Mermod & Susan G. Amara

  2. Developmental Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute, San Diego, California, 92138, USA

    Larry W. Swanson & Paul E. Sawchenko

  3. Peptide Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute, San Diego, California, 92138, USA

    Jean Rivier & Wylie W. Vale

  4. Molecular Biology and Virology Laboratory, The Salk Institute, San Diego, California, 92138, USA

    Ronald M. Evans

Authors
  1. Michael G. Rosenfeld
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  2. Jean-Jacques Mermod
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  3. Susan G. Amara
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  4. Larry W. Swanson
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  5. Paul E. Sawchenko
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  6. Jean Rivier
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  7. Wylie W. Vale
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  8. Ronald M. Evans
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Rosenfeld, M., Mermod, JJ., Amara, S. et al. Production of a novel neuropeptide encoded by the calcitonin gene via tissue-specific RNA processing. Nature 304, 129–135 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/304129a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/304129a0

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