CGRPa, human

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a 37-amino acid neuropeptide produced by tissue specific processing of the calcitonin gene and is the major product in neural tissues. CGRP is released by motor neurons where it exerts both short and long term effects on skeletal muscle fibers. In addition, sensory neurons release CGRP to the surrounding vasculature where it is partly responsible for local vasodilation following muscle contraction. CGRP acts through G protein-coupled receptors whose presence and changes in function modulate the peptide's effects in various tissues.