Induction of osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (MNCs) by various fragments of PTH-related protein (PTHrP) was examined in mouse marrow cultures. Osteoclast-like MNCs were defined as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP)-positive MNCs with calcitonin receptors. In all experimental protocols examined, PTHrP-(1-34) induced TRACP-positive MNCs at almost the same rate as PTH-(1-34). PTHrP-(1-29) was less potent than PTHrP-(1-34). PTHrP-(1-25) and PTHrP-(1-14) had no effect. PTHrP-(1-34) was more potent than PTH-(1-34) in increasing the accumulation of cAMP, but the former appeared to lose its activity more rapidly than the latter. Isobutylmethylxanthine increased the effect of PTHrP-(1-34) and PTH-(1-34) in inducing TRACP-positive MNCs. Furthermore, the calcium ionophore A23187 significantly increased the formation of TRACP-positive MNCs. The effect of PTH-(1-34) and PTHrP-(1-34) in inducing TRACP-positive MNCs was potentiated by adding A23187 but suppressed by adding verapamil simultaneously. The inhibition by verapamil was overcome by adding A23187. [Nle8,18,Tyr34]PTH-(3-34)amide inhibited the effect of not only PTH-(1-34) but also PTHrP-(1-34) in inducing both the accumulation of cAMP and the TRACP-positive MNC formation. These results show that PTHrP is a potent stimulator of osteoclast-like MNC formation to almost the same extent as PTH. It increases the number of osteoclast-like MNCs by a mechanism involving cAMP and calcium ions, and is most likely mediated through the same receptor. The controversial results of the bone-resorbing activity of PTH and PTHrP reported so far may be explained by the differences in the relative potencies of the respective hormones in increasing the intracellular cAMP and calcium ions and by the shorter half-life of PTHrP in culture medium.