Effect of octreotide on expression of calcitonin gene in cultured cells of medullary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

The studies were performed on cultured TT cells, originating from medullary thyroid carcinoma and producing calcitonin (CT) and CT gene-related peptide (CGRP), synthesized on the template of the same gene. Addition of octreotide (a synthetic somatostatin analogue) to the cell culture augmented amounts of CGRP mRNA and of CGRP protein in the cells as well as increased levels of CGRP in the culture medium. In contrast, amounts of CT mRNA and of CT protein in the cells as well as levels of CT in the medium remained unchanged. The results showed that octreotide stimulates transcription and alternate splicing of the CT gene.