[2] α-CGRP is a 37-amino acid neuropeptide and is formed by alternative splicing[3] of the calcitonin/CGRP gene located on chromosome 11. β-CGRP is less studied.

CGRP is derived mainly from the cell bodies of motor neurons when synthesized in the ventral horn of the spinal cord and may contribute to the regeneration of nervous tissue after injury.

[10]: 201–204 CGRP has moderate effects on calcium homeostasis compared to its extensive actions in other areas, such as the autonomic nervous system.

[10] It also functions in temperature homeostasis, increases heart rate, and plays a role in the release of the pituitary hormones in a paracrine manner.

[12] The results performed on different experiments by the same research group led to the conclusion that G-CSF-induced HSC mobilization is regulated by the nociceptor nerve-derived neuropeptide CGRP.

[13] CGRP receptors are found throughout all the body, suggesting that the protein may modulate a variety of physiological functions in all major systems (e.g., respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, immune, and cardiovascular).

[15] Regulation of the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) gene is in part controlled by the expression of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway,[16] cytokines such as TNFα[17] and iNOS.

Receptor-mediated transduction elevates in intracellular cAMP activate protein kinase A, which results in the phosphorylation of multiple targets, including potassium- sensitive ATP channels (KATP channels), extracellular signal-related kinases and transcription factors such as cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB).

In smooth muscle of neurovascular region, the elevation of cAMP upon CGRP activation results in vasodilation of the blood vessel.

[20] Increased levels of CGRP have been reported in migraine and temporomandibular joint disorder patients as well as a variety of other diseases such as cardiac failure, hypertension, and sepsis.

[2] Prophylactic therapy with calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRPs) may have unknown fertility consequences for women of child bearing age.

During some migraine attacks, increased concentrations of CGRP can be found in both saliva and in plasma drawn from the external jugular vein.

[34] They also tend to have relatively long half-lives in the body, but must be given parenterally (preferably by injection) due to very poor absorption from the digestive tract.

The antibodies are also made repeatedly to make them all identical, which results in difficult and relatively expensive production lines.