calcitonin
Sign in to saveCalcitonin is a 32 amino acid peptide hormone secreted by parafollicular cells (also known as C cells) of the thyroid (or endostyle) in humans and other chordates in the ultimopharyngeal body. It acts to reduce blood calcium (Ca2+), opposing the effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH).
Article
19 sectionsContents
- Biosynthesis and regulation
- Function
- Receptor
- Discovery
- Clinical significance
- Pharmacology
- General characteristics of the active substance
- Characteristics in patients
- Preclinical safety data
- Pharmaceutical manufacture
- Uses of calcitonin
- Treatments
- Diagnostics
- Structure
- Research
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Calcitonin is a 32 amino acid peptide hormone secreted by parafollicular cells (also known as C cells) of the thyroid (or endostyle) in humans and other chordates in the ultimopharyngeal body. It acts to reduce blood calcium (Ca2+), opposing the effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH).
Its importance in humans has not been as well established as its importance in other animals, as its function is usually not significant in the regulation of normal calcium homeostasis. It belongs to the calcitonin-like protein family.