Somatostatin signal transduction in thyroid parafollicular C cells.

ABSTRACT

The effects of somatostatin (SRIF) through its receptors (SSTRs) has been explored in many tissues, and here we discuss the role of the SRIF-SSTR system in human parafollicular C cells, reporting recent data on the effects of selective SSTR agonists on parafollicular C cells, that suggest new therapeutic approaches for medical treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Moreover, the possible pathways involved in SRIF signalling in parafollicular C cells are discussed.