Alternative RNA Processing: Determining Neuronal Phenotype

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Abstract
On the basis of an analysis of the human and rat calcitonin genes and of a related gene, alternative RNA processing represents a developmental strategy of the brain to dictate tissue-specific patterns of polypeptide synthesis. This regulation allows the calcitonin gene to generate two messenger RNA's, one encoding the precursor of a novel neuropeptide, referred to as CGRP, which predominates in the brain, and the second encoding the precursor to the hormone calcitonin which predominates in thyroid C cells. The distribution of CGRP in the central and peripheral nervous system and in endocrine and other organ systems suggests potential functions in nociception, ingestive behavior, cardiovascular homeostasis, and mineral metabolism.