PTHRP stands for Parathyroid Hormone-Related Peptide. It is a naturally occurring hormone that plays a vital role in regulating calcium and phosphate metabolism within the human body.
The parathyroid gland, located in the neck, secretes parathyroid hormone (PTH) which controls the levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood. PTHRP is a peptide hormone that shares significant similarities to PTH and is produced by various tissues in the body, including the placenta, bone, and breast tissue.
PTHRP acts primarily by binding to the same receptors as PTH, known as parathyroid hormone receptors (PTH1 receptors), present on target cells. Once bound, it stimulates the receptors leading to increased release of calcium from the bones and reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys, ultimately raising blood calcium levels. It also inhibits phosphate reabsorption by the kidneys, helping to maintain appropriate phosphate levels in the blood.
In addition to its role in calcium and phosphate regulation, PTHRP has been found to be involved in various other biological processes. It has impacts on fetal development, skeletal growth, and lactation, and has been implicated in certain disease conditions such as malignancies and hypercalcemia of malignancy (abnormally high blood calcium levels due to cancer).
Understanding the function and regulation of PTHRP is crucial in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to calcium and phosphate metabolism disorders, as well as in the development of potential therapeutic interventions targeting PTHRPs actions.
