Dissociation of cAMP accumulation and phosphate uptake in opossum kidney (OK) cells with parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP)

Regulation of hormone-sensitive renal phosphate transport

Phosphate is essential for growth and maintenance of the skeleton and for generating high-energy phosphate compounds. Evolutionary adaptation to high dietary phosphorous in humans and other terrestrial vertebrates involves regulated mechanisms assuring the efficient renal elimination of excess phosphate. These mechanisms prominently include PTH, FGF23, and Vitamin D, which directly and indirectly regulate phosphate transport. Disordered phosphate homeostasis is associated with pathologies ranging from kidney stones to kidney failure. Chronic kidney disease results in hyperphosphatemia, an elevated calcium×phosphate product with considerable morbidity and mortality, mostly associated with adverse cardiovascular events. This chapter highlights recent findings and insights regarding the hormonal regulation of renal phosphate transport along with imbalances of phosphate balance due to acquired or inherited diseases states.

Scutellaria barbata D. Don induces c-fos gene expression in human uterine leiomyomal cells by activating beta2-adrenergic receptors

Scutellaria barbata D. Don (Lamiaceae; SB) inhibited the growth of uterine leiomyomal (LM) cells with unknown actions. The expression patterns of beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-ARs) in human uterine LM cells and functional coupling to gene expression have also been investigated. Northern blot analysis showed that beta-AR subtypes are expressed at different levels in the uterine LM cells and myometrial smooth muscle cells (SMCs). beta1-AR expression was to be found approximately at the same level in the two cell types. beta2-ARs were expressed at higher levels in uterine LM cells than that in myometrial SMCs. beta3-AR expression was not found in both the cells. c-fos gene expression was induced by SB in uterine LM cells via increases in adenosine-3',5', cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), which in turn activated the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. The PKA inhibitor, H89, inhibited c-fos gene expression induced by SB. It seems that the mechanism of proto-oncogenes c-fos different leiomyoma from other myometrial cancer. Further studies are necessary to elucidate whether c-fos induction by SB in uterine LM cells influences a regression of leiomyoma or induces other differentiation.

Bioactivity of PTH/PTHrP analogs lacking the 1-14 N-terminal domain

The N-terminal regions of 1-34 parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1-34 parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) are thought to be required for full agonist activity of these molecules and for signal transduction by cyclic AMP (cAMP). The C-terminal regions are thought to be involved in receptor binding and protein kinase C activation. In this study, two analogs of PTH/PTHrP lacking the segment 1-14 exhibited agonist activity in opossum kidney (OK) 3B2 cells. Analogs cPTHrP(15-34) and ANA NPY(13-36), an analog of neuropeptide Y, which both have amphipathic alpha helices, inhibited phosphate uptake and stimulated cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner, with half maximal activity in the microM range, compared to the nM range for hPTHrP(1-34) and hPTH(1-34). They also exhibited proportionately lower receptor binding affinities. cAMP production by these analogs was suppressed by the antagonist hPTHrP(7-34). Inhibition of phosphate uptake in response to the analogs was partially suppressed by H-89, but not by bisindolylmaleimide. The analogs also inhibited phosphate uptake and stimulated cAMP in parent OK cells and stimulated cAMP production in UMR-106 cells. These studies present the novel finding that in these cell types, a C-terminal region encompassing PTH/PTHrP(24-31), with the alpha-helical structure maintained, is sufficient for full activity at reduced potency.

Formoterol and isoproterenol induce c-fos gene expression in osteoblast-like cells by activating beta2-adrenergic receptors

Formoterol, a beta2-adrenergic agonist has been shown in ovariectomized rat models to have anabolic effects on bone. However, those studies did not determine whether the effect of formoterol was by a direct action on bone cells themselves or indirectly via anabolic action on muscle. To address the question of whether formoterol could directly affect osteoblast function we investigated the expression patterns of beta3-adrenergic receptors (betaARs) in human osteoblast-like cells and functional coupling to gene expression. Northern blot analysis showed that betaAR subtypes are expressed at different levels in the osteoblast-like cell lines TE-85, SaOS-2, MG-63, and OHS-4. beta1AR expression was found in SaOS-2, OHS-4, and TE-85, but not MG-63 cells. beta2ARs are expressed at higher levels in MG-63 cells than in TE-85 and SaOS-2 cells, but were not detected in OHS-4 cells. PCR analysis paralleled the northern blot analysis except that beta3AR expression was found in one of three human primary osteoblast cDNAs tested. beta3AR expression was not found in any of the osteoblast-like cell lines. The nonspecific betaAR agonist, isoproterenol, and the beta2AR-specific agonist, formoterol, induced c-fos gene expression in cultured SaOS-2 cells in an immediate early fashion. This effect was inhibited by the beta2AR-specific antagonist, ICI 118551, but not by the beta1AR-specific antagonist, CGP 20712, indicating that induction of c-fos gene expression is specifically mediated by beta2ARs. c-fos gene expression was induced by both isoproterenol and formoterol via increases in cAMP, which in turn activated the cAMP/PKA pathway; the PKA inhibitor, H89, inhibited c-fos gene expression. Thus, betaARs are expressed in osteoblast-like cells and are coupled to c-fos gene expression via the beta2AR, increases in cAMP levels and activation of a PKA-dependent pathway.

Characteristics of tumor cell bioactivity in oncogenic osteomalacia

Oncogenic osteomalacia is a condition where renal phosphate wasting occurs causing defective mineralisation, in the presence of a tumor. Cultures of cells were established from a hemangiopericytoma resected from a patient with oncogenic osteomalacia. Conditioned media from the cells inhibited phosphate uptake in opossum kidney cells and stimulated of cAMP in rat osteosarcoma cells, a standard parathyroid hormone (PTH)-like assay. This cAMP stimulation was suppressed by the PTH analogue, 3-34 bPTH and also by heat and trypsin treatment of the media. Tests of conditioned media for PTH and parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) immunoreactivity were negative, however, and no hybridisation to probes for PTH, PTHrP or human stanniocalcin was detected in tumor cell RNA on Northern blot. These data support the hypothesis that tumors responsible for oncogenic osteomalacia produce a humoral substance that reduces renal phosphate reabsorption and provide evidence that the factor may act via PTH/PTHrP receptors.

Dissociation of phosphaturia and 25(OH)D-1 alpha-hydroxylase trophism using a novel analogue of parathyroid hormone

Certain parathyroid hormone (PTH) analogues have been shown to selectively impair some but not all physiological actions of PTH. In this study, transaminated rat (r) PTH [TA-rPTH-(1-34)], a PTH analogue that differs from the rPTH-(1-34) fragment in that the NH2-terminal alanine is converted to pyruvate, was infused into mice to determine its properties in vivo and specifically to determine whether stimulation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1 alpha-hydroxylase (1 alpha-hydroxylase) activity was more dependent on concomitant renal handling of phosphate or on generation of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP). High-performance liquid chromatography-purified TA-rPTH-(1-34) was infused into C57BL mice at 10 or 30 pmol/h for 24 h. At 30 pmol/h, TA-rPTH-(1-34) was comparable with rPTH-(1-34) in its hypophosphatemic and phosphaturic effects but was less potent than rPTH-(1-34) in raising serum calcium. TA-rPTH-(1-34) was markedly less effective in stimulating renal 1 alpha-hydroxylase than rPTH-(1-34). Stimulation of urinary cAMP excretion occurred after infusion with TA-rPTH-(1-34), but this effect was significantly less than that seen with rPTH-(1-34). These findings indicate that PTH-induced hypophosphatemia and phosphaturia can be uncoupled from PTH stimulation of 1 alpha-hydroxylase. Furthermore, cAMP-related signal transduction appears to be more significant in regulation of 1 alpha-hydroxylase than mechanisms that mediate PTH-sensitive phosphate transport, independent of cAMP.

Identification of estrogen receptor mRNA and the estrogen modulation of parathyroid hormone-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in opossum kidney cells

The opossum kidney (OK) cell was used as a model to test the hypothesis that estrogen directly affects proximal renal tubular epithelial cells. To demonstrate the expression of estrogen receptor in OK cells, we developed an approach using reverse transcription and the polymerase chain reaction. Analysis of the DNA amplified with nested primers revealed the predicted size fragment and restriction enzyme digestion products. To demonstrate the functional effects of estrogen, OK cells at confluence were preincubated in serum-free medium for 7-10 days with or without 17 beta-estradiol. Bovine PTH(1-34) (bPTH(1-34)) then stimulated a dose-dependent intracellular accumulation of cAMP that was maximal after 1 min and then gradually declined. Cyclic AMP in the medium slowly increased over 60 min. Preincubation with 17 beta-estradiol did not affect cell proliferation as measured by total protein content but caused an inhibition of bPTH(1-34)-stimulated intracellular cAMP accumulation that was maximal at 10(-11) M 17 beta-estradiol (71 +/- 3% control, p less than .001). bPTH(1-34) also increased cAMP release into the medium, an effect maximal using 10(-10) M 17 beta-estradiol (118 +/- 3% control, p less than .001). Preincubation with the inactive isomer 17 alpha-estradiol caused no changes in cAMP accumulation or release. Coincubation with the antiestrogen tamoxifen blocked the effects of 17 beta-estradiol. Sodium-dependent phosphate transport was: (1) inhibited by 2-h incubations with 10(-8) or 10(-10) M bPTH(1-34) and not affected by preincubation with 17 beta-estradiol, and (2) not inhibited by a 20-min incubation with 10(-8) M bPTH(1-34) unless cells were preincubated with 10(-8) M 17 beta-estradiol, suggesting that any possible effects of estrogen on phosphate transport are not directly mediated by changes in cAMP. These studies demonstrate the presence of estrogen receptor mRNA in OK cells as well as direct and specific effects of physiologic concentrations of estrogen on cAMP accumulation in these cells. This system may be a good model for further study of estrogen and PTH effects on the kidney.

Apical and basolateral effects of PTH in OK cells: transport inhibition, messenger production, effects of pertussis toxin, and interaction with a PTH analog

The cellular distribution (apical vs. basolateral) of parathyroid hormone (PTH) signal transduction systems in opossum kidney (OK) cells was evaluated by measuring the action of PTH on apically located transport processes (Na/Pi cotransport and Na/H exchange) and on the generation of intracellular messengers (cAMP and IP3). PTH application led to immediate inhibition of Na/H-exchange without a difference in dose/response relationships between apical and basolateral cell-surface hormone addition (half-maximal inhibition at approximately 5 x 10(-12) M). PTH required 2-3 hr for maximal inhibition of Na/Pi cotransport with a half-maximal inhibition occurring at approximately 5 x 10(-10) M PTH for basolateral application and approximately 5 x 10(-12) M for apical application. PTH addition to either side of the monolayer produced a dose-dependent production of both cAMP and IP3. Half-maximal activation of IP3 was at about 7 x 10(-12) M PTH and displayed no differences between apical and basolateral hormone addition, while cAMP was produced with a half maximal concentration of 7 x 10(-9) M for apical PTH application and 10(-9) M for basolateral administration. The PTH analog [nle8.18,tyr34]PTH(3-34), (nlePTH), produced partial inhibition of Na/Pi cotransport (agonism) with no difference between apical and basolateral application. When applied as a PTH antagonist, nlePTH displayed dose-dependent antagonism of PTH inhibition of Na/Pi cotransport on the apical surface, failing to have an effect on the basolateral surface. Independent of addition to the apical or basolateral cell surface, nlePTH had only weak stimulatory effect on production of cAMP, whereas high levels of IP3 could be measured after addition of this PTH analog to either cell surface. Also an antagonistic action of nlePTH on PTH-dependent generation of the internal messengers, cAMP and IP3, was observed; at the apical and basolateral cell surface nelPTH reduced PTH-dependent generation of cAMP, while PTH-dependent generation of IP3 was only reduced by nlePTH at the apical surface. Pertussis toxin (PT) preincubation produced an attenuation of both PTH-dependent inhibition of Na/Pi cotransport and 1P3 generation while producing an enhancement of PTH-dependent cAMP generation; these effects displayed no cell surface polarity, suggesting that PTH action through either adenylate cyclase or phospholipase C was transduced through similar sets of G-proteins at each cell surface.

Cellular mechanisms in proximal tubular reabsorption of inorganic phosphate

Filtered inorganic phosphate (Pi) is largely reabsorbed in the proximal tubule. Na-Pi cotransport, with a stoichiometry of at least 2:1, mediates uphill transport at the apical membrane; at the basolateral membrane different types of transport systems can be involved in efflux and uptake of Pi from the interstitium. Regulation of transcellular Pi flux involves alteration of the apical Na-Pi cotransport; at least three different cellular control/sensing systems seem to participate in this regulation and are exemplified by parathyroid hormone (PTH)-dependent inhibition, Pi deprivation-dependent increase, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I)-dependent increase in Na-Pi cotransport. For PTH inhibition, recent evidence suggests a role of the phospholipase C/protein kinase C-dependent regulatory cascade in inhibition of Na-Pi cotransport, at least at low PTH concentrations. In addition, an endocytic mechanism seems to be involved in this PTH action. Little is known of the cellular mechanisms in Pi deprivation-dependent and/or IGF-I-dependent increases in Na-Pi cotransport; they are dependent on de novo protein synthesis. Recent experiments involving an expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes led to the identification of an approximately 50 kDa membrane protein that is a good candidate for being involved in brush-border membrane Na-Pi cotransport activity.