| Theme | Recent progress in parathyroid hormone research | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Evolution of calcium metabolism and parathyroid development | |
| Publish Date | 2003/04 | |
| Author | Shigeki Nishimori | Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital of Imperial Household |
| Author | Tetsuya Igarashi | Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba |
| [ Summary ] | Calcium ions are essential component in maintaining individual cell functions. However, in relation to evolutional aspects, parathyroid and parathyroid hormone (PTH) emerged at a later date, after amphibians moved onto the land. We will discuss how the development of parathyroid emerged in amphibians and what the biological importance of PTH was in the development of terrestrial life, through the theory of molecular evolution. We also compare the genetic relationship between PTH and PTH-related proteins in relation to the evolutional origins of PTH. | |