Receptors for calcitonin, calcitonin gene related peptide, amylin, and adrenomedullin

Calcitonin, calcitonin gene related peptide, amylin, and adrenomedullin are structurally related polypeptides characterized by a six or seven amino acid ring structure linked by a disulfide bridge and an amidated C-terminus. They exhibit overlapping biological actions as a result of cross-reactivity between the different receptors. In this article, the respective receptors and G-protein-coupled postreceptor events are reviewed in relation to some of the biological actions of the peptides.Key words: adrenomedullin, amylin, calcitonin gene related peptide, cyclic AMP, receptors.