Expression of adenylate cyclase-coupled osseous parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-like peptide receptors in Xenopus oocytes

Respective roles of calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMP) in cell surface expression of CRLR/RAMP heterodimeric receptors

Receptor activity modifying proteins RAMP1, RAMP2, and RAMP3 are responsible for defining affinity to ligands of the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR). It has also been proposed that receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMP) are molecular chaperones required for CRLR transport to the cell surface. Here, we have studied the respective roles of CRLR and RAMP in transporting CRLR/RAMP heterodimers to the plasma membrane by using a highly specific binding assay that allows quantitative detection of cell surface-expressed CRLR or RAMP in the Xenopus oocytes expression system. We show that: (i) heterodimer assembly is not a prerequisite for efficient cell surface expression of CRLR, (ii) N-glycosylated RAMP2 and RAMP3 are expressed at the cell surface and their transport to the plasma membrane requires N-glycans, (iii) RAMP1 is not N-glycosylated and is transported to the plasma membrane only upon formation of heterodimers with CRLR, and (iv) introduction of N-glycosylation sites in the RAMP1 sequence (D58N/G60S, Y71N, and K103N/P105S) allows cell surface expression of these mutants at levels similar to that of wild-type RAMP1 co-expressed with CRLR. Our data argue against a chaperone function for RAMP and identify the role of N-glycosylation in targeting these molecules to the cell surface.

Relevance of erythrocyte Na+/Li+ countertransport measurement in essential hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetic nephropathy: a critical review

In this review the usefulness of the measurement of erythrocyte Na+/Li+ countertransport (Na+/Li+ CT) activity is evaluated. In particular, the association between enhanced erythrocyte Na+/Li+ CT activity and essential hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetic nephropathy is discussed. The conclusion of this review is that elevated erythrocyte Na+/Li+ CT activity is associated with essential hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. A relationship between Na+/Li+ CT activity and diabetic nephropathy is less evident. Despite a significant link of Na+/Li+ CT activity with hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, the diagnostic significance of Na+/Li+ CT activity is low. This is due to the large overlap between the results of control subjects and patients. The factors that contribute to this broad range are discussed in detail.

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.

Functional expression and signaling properties of cloned human parathyroid hormone receptor in Xenopus oocytes. Evidence for a novel signaling pathway

Expression of human parathyroid hormone receptor (hPTHR) was obtained in Xenopus oocytes. Receptor function was detected by hormone stimulation of endogenous Ca2+-activated Cl- current. This current was blocked by injected, but not by extracellular, EGTA, confirming that the hPTHR activates cytosolic Ca2+ signaling pathways. PTH responses were acutely desensitized but were regained in 6 12 h. Injection of cAMP or analogues had no effect on either responsiveness or desensitization to hPTH. The hPTH response was more sluggish than seen with serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT2C) receptor. In oocytes co-expressing both hPTHR and 5-HT2C receptors, homologous desensitization was seen, but cross-desensitization was not observed. Injection of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) elicited a fast inward current similar to that induced by serotonin, and complete cross-desensitization occurred between the InsP3 and 5-HT2C responses. Desensitization by hPTH did not affect responses to either InsP3 or serotonin, but cells desensitized to injected InsP3 still responded strongly to PTH. Oocytes did not respond to either cADPR or NAADP+, but NADP+ and analogues were found to be potent inhibitors of PTH signaling. We suggest that PTH cytosolic Ca2+ signaling in oocytes either involves a novel signaling system or proceeds through a Ca2+ compartment whose responsiveness is regulated in a novel way.