Alternative RNA processing in calcitonin gene expression generates mRNAs encoding different polypeptide products

Abstract
Alternative processing of RNA transcripts from the calcitonin gene results in the production of distinct mRNA encoding the hormone calcitonon or a predicted product referred to as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). The calcitonin mRNA predominates in the thyroid while the CGRP-specific mRNA appears to predominate in the hypothalamus. A model is proposed in which developmental regulation of RNA processing is used to increase the diversity of neuroendocrine gene expession.