CGRP
CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide, encoded by the CALCA gene) is a secreted neuropeptide hormone of the calcitonin family. It acts as a vasodilator and as an antimicrobial peptide, and is also known as CGRP-alpha or CALC1. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CGRP research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CGRP is a peptide hormone that functions as a vasodilator and as an antimicrobial peptide. It is one of several products of the CALCA gene, which is transcribed and processed differently depending on the tissue. Tissue-specific alternative RNA splicing of the gene transcripts, followed by cleavage of inactive precursor proteins, yields calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide and katacalcin. Because these peptides share a single gene, work on the CGRP gene needs to take account of the other products and of the splice variants.
The CALCA gene belongs to the HGNC neuropeptides gene group, and the encoded protein belongs to the calcitonin family. The UniProt entry describes a secreted protein, and the gene has orthologues named Calca in both mouse and rat. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been reported for this gene, so the precise form detected depends on the splicing and processing pathway in the sample under study.
The peptides derived from CALCA have distinct roles. Calcitonin is involved in calcium regulation and acts to regulate phosphorus metabolism. Katacalcin is a potent plasma calcium-lowering peptide. CGRP, in contrast, is described as a vasodilator and an antimicrobial peptide. The gene is listed by HGNC as calcitonin related polypeptide alpha, with the previous name calcitonin 1 and the previous symbol CALC1; CGRP-alpha is a commonly used alias. These names help when comparing literature, where the same molecule may appear under several of them.
CGRP is described as a vasodilator, making it a relevant peptide for studying the regulation of vessel tone.
CALCA is classed among the neuropeptides, so CGRP is a natural subject for studies of peptide hormone signalling.
CGRP is reported to act as an antimicrobial peptide, which links it to research on host defence.
Other CALCA products, calcitonin and katacalcin, regulate calcium and phosphorus, so CGRP is often studied alongside them.
CGRP, or calcitonin gene-related peptide, functions as a vasodilator and as an antimicrobial peptide. It is a secreted peptide hormone produced from the CALCA gene, which also yields calcitonin and katacalcin through tissue-specific alternative RNA splicing and precursor cleavage.
The CALCA gene gives rise to several peptides, so names overlap. HGNC lists the previous name calcitonin 1 and aliases CGRP, CGRP-alpha and CALC1. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have also been reported, and UniProt names the entry Calcitonin.
Mouse and rat each have an orthologous gene named Calca. This makes rodent models practical for studying the peptide family, though you should check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other calcitonin family peptides, neuropeptides and related signalling targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P01258; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.