Molecular biology of parathyroid hormone

Regulation of parathyroid hormone mRNA stability by calcium, phosphate and uremia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review focuses on the regulation of parathyroid hormone gene expression by dietary-induced hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia and uremia. Understanding the mechanism by which calcium and phosphate regulate parathyroid hormone gene expression is important for both normal physiology and in pathological states, especially chronic kidney disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Calcium and phosphate regulate parathyroid hormone secretion, gene expression and, if prolonged, parathyroid cell proliferation. Chronic kidney disease is characterized by a high serum phosphate level that often leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism. In the rat, regulation of parathyroid hormone gene expression by calcium, phosphate and uremia is posttranscriptional, affecting mRNA stability. Differences in binding of protective trans-acting proteins to a conserved protein-binding cis-acting instability element in the parathyroid hormone mRNA 3'-untranslated region alter parathyroid hormone mRNA stability. Two trans-acting proteins - adenosine-uridine rich binding factor 1 and Up-stream of N-ras- stabilize parathyroid hormone mRNA in vivo and in vitro. Parathyroid hormone mRNA also interacts with mRNA decay-promoting proteins and ribonucleases that lead to parathyroid hormone mRNA degradation.

SUMMARY

Calcium, phosphate and uremia determine parathyroid hormone mRNA stability through the binding of the protective factors adenosine-uridine rich binding factor 1 and Up-stream of N-ras and the recruitment of a degradation complex that cleaves parathyroid hormone mRNA.

Cis and trans acting factors in the regulation of parathyroid hormone (PTH) mRNA stability by calcium and phosphate

Calcium and phosphate regulate parathyroid hormone (PTH) mRNA stability through differences in binding of parathyroid proteins to an element in its 3'-untranslated region. One of the proteins is AUF1 (A+U-rich element binding factor 1). An in vitro degradation assay showed that transcripts for PTH and chimeric growth hormone (GH)-PTH 63 nt, but not for native GH, were stabilized by PT proteins from rats on low calcium diets and destabilized by proteins from rats on low phosphate diets, correlating with PTH mRNA levels in vivo. In transfection experiments the 63 nt binding element destabilized mRNAs of reporter genes and this was prevented by over-expression of AUF1. Our results identified a functional cis element in PTH mRNA. Differences in protein binding to this element determine PTH mRNA stability and its regulation by calcium and phosphate.

A conserved cis-acting element in the parathyroid hormone 3'-untranslated region is sufficient for regulation of RNA stability by calcium and phosphate

Calcium and phosphate regulate parathyroid hormone (PTH) gene expression post-transcriptionally by changes in protein-PTH mRNA 3'-untranslated region (UTR) interactions, which determine PTH mRNA stability. We have identified the protein binding sequence in the PTH mRNA 3'-UTR and determined its functionality. The protein-binding element was identified by binding, competition, and antisense oligonucleotide interference. The sequence was preserved among species suggesting its importance. To study its functionality in the context of another RNA, a 63-base pair cDNA PTH sequence was fused to the growth hormone (GH) gene. There is no parathyroid (PT) cell line and therefore an in vitro degradation assay was used to determine the stability of transcripts for PTH, GH, and a chimeric GH-PTH 63 nucleotides with PT cytosolic proteins. The full-length PTH transcript was stabilized by PT proteins from rats fed a low calcium diet and destabilized by proteins from rats fed a low phosphate diet, correlating with PTH mRNA levels in vivo. These PT proteins did not affect the native GH transcript. However, the chimeric GH transcript was stabilized by low calcium PT proteins and destabilized by low phosphate PT proteins, similar to the PTH full-length transcript. Therefore, we have identified a PTH RNA-protein binding region and shown that it is sufficient to confer responsiveness to calcium and phosphate in a reporter gene. This defined element in the PTH mRNA 3'-UTR is necessary and sufficient for the regulation of PTH mRNA stability by calcium and phosphate.

Identification of AUF1 as a parathyroid hormone mRNA 3'-untranslated region-binding protein that determines parathyroid hormone mRNA stability

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) mRNA levels are post-transcriptionally increased by hypocalcemia and decreased by hypophosphatemia, and this is mediated by cytosolic proteins binding to the PTH mRNA 3'-untranslated region (UTR). The same proteins are also present in other tissues, such as brain, but only in the parathyroid is their binding regulated by calcium and phosphate. The function of the PTH mRNA 3'-UTR-binding proteins was studied using an in vitro degradation assay. Competition for the parathyroid-binding proteins by excess unlabeled 3'-UTR destabilized the full-length PTH transcript in this assay, indicating that these proteins protect the RNA from RNase activity. The PTH RNA 3'-UTR-binding proteins were purified by RNA affinity chromatography of rat brain S-100 extracts. The eluate from the column was enriched in PTH RNA 3'-UTR binding activity. Addition of eluate to the in vitro degradation assay with parathyroid protein extracts stabilized the PTH transcript. A major band from the eluate at 50 kDa was sequenced and was identical to AU-rich binding protein (AUF1). Recombinant AUF1 bound the full-length PTH mRNA and the 3'-UTR. Added recombinant AUF1 also stabilized the PTH transcript in the in vitro degradation assay. Our results show that AUF1 is a protein that binds to the PTH mRNA 3'-UTR and stabilizes the PTH transcript.

Dynein light chain binding to a 3'-untranslated sequence mediates parathyroid hormone mRNA association with microtubules

The 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs binds proteins that determine mRNA stability and localization. The 3'-UTR of parathyroid hormone (PTH) mRNA specifically binds cytoplasmic proteins. We screened an expression library for proteins that bind the PTH mRNA 3'-UTR, and the sequence of 1 clone was identical to that of the dynein light chain LC8, a component of the dynein complexes that translocate cytoplasmic components along microtubules. Recombinant LC8 binds PTH mRNA 3'-UTR, as shown by RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assay. We showed that PTH mRNA colocalizes with microtubules in the parathyroid gland, as well as with a purified microtubule preparation from calf brain, and that this association was mediated by LC8. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a dynein complex protein binding an mRNA. The dynein complex may be the motor that is responsible for transporting mRNAs to specific locations in the cytoplasm and for the consequent is asymmetric distribution of translated proteins in the cell.

RNA-Protein binding and post-transcriptional regulation of parathyroid hormone gene expression by calcium and phosphate

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates serum calcium and phosphate levels, which, in turn, regulate PTH secretion and mRNA levels. PTH mRNA levels are markedly increased in rats fed low calcium diets and decreased after low phosphate diets, and this effect is post-transcriptional. Protein-PTH mRNA binding studies, with parathyroid cytosolic proteins, showed three protein-RNA bands. This binding was to the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the PTH mRNA and was dependent upon the terminal 60 nucleotides. Parathyroid proteins from hypocalcemic rats showed increased binding, and proteins from hypophosphatemic rats decreased binding, correlating with PTH mRNA levels. There is no parathyroid cell line; however, a functional role was provided by an in vitro degradation assay. Parathyroid proteins from control rats incubated with a PTH mRNA probe led to an intact transcript for 40 min; the transcript was intact with hypocalcemic proteins for 180 min and with hypophosphatemic proteins only for 5 min. A PTH mRNA probe without the 3'-UTR, or just the terminal 60 nucleotides, incubated with hypophosphatemic proteins, showed no degradation at all, indicating that the sequences in the 3'-UTR determine PTH mRNA degradation. Hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia regulate PTH gene expression post-transcriptionally. This correlates with binding of proteins to the PTH mRNA 3'-UTR, which determines its stability.

Homeostatic control of plasma calcium concentration

Due to the importance of Ca2+ in the regulation of vital cellular and tissue functions, the concentration of Ca2+ in body fluids is closely guarded by an efficient feedback control system. This system includes Ca(2+)-transporting subsystems (bone, and kidney), Ca2+ sensing, possibly by a calcium-sensing receptor, and calcium-regulating hormones (parathyroid hormone [PTH], calcitonin [CT], and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]). In humans and birds, acute Ca2+ perturbations are handled mainly by modulation of kidney Ca2+ reabsorption and by bone Ca2+ flow under PTH and possibly CT regulation, respectively. Chronic perturbations are also handled by the more sluggish but economic regulatory action of 1,25(OH2)D3 on intestinal calcium absorption. Peptide hormone secretion is modulated by Ca2+ and several secretagogues. The hormones' signal is produced by interaction with their respective receptors, which evokes the cAMP and phospholipase C-IP3-Ca2+ signal transduction pathways. 1,25 (OH)2D3 operates through a cytoplasmic receptor in controlling transcription and through a membrane receptor that activates the Ca2+ and phospholipase C messenger system. The calciotropic hormones also influence processes not directly associated with Ca2+ regulation, such as cell differentiation, and may thus affect the calcium-regulating subsystems also indirectly.

Regulation of parathyroid hormone messenger RNA levels by protein kinase A and C in bovine parathyroid cells

Secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) is regulated by Ca2+ as well as by protein kinases A and C. In this study we report that protein kinases A and C regulate PTH messenger RNA levels in vitro in dispersed bovine parathyroid cells. Incubation of bovine parathyroid cells with cholera toxin (10(-9) M), which activates adenylate cyclase and indirectly stimulates protein kinase A, increased PTH mRNA levels about 2-fold after 3 and 7 h incubation, but not at 24 h. Incubation with pertussis toxin (5 x 10(-9) M), which blocks the high-calcium-mediated inhibition of cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation in these cells, also reversed the inhibition of PTH mRNA levels at high Ca2+ (2.0 mM) with a marked increase in PTH mRNA levels. Pertussis toxin also increased PTH mRNA at a low extracellular Ca2+ concentration (0.7 mM) (4-fold increase) and a normal concentration (1.25 mM) (2-fold increase). Inhibition of protein kinase C both by staurosporine (1 x 10(-8) M) and by prolonged incubation with the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) (1 x 10(-7) M), decreased PTH mRNA levels at 24 h, reaching approximately 40% and 5% of control, respectively. Staurosporine and PMA had no effect on PTH mRNA levels at 3 h. The inactive phorbol ester, phorbol 12-13-dibutyrate (PDBu), had no effect on PTH mRNA levels at 1 and 24 h. There were no changes in a control gene 18S RNA in these studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nucleotide sequence of cloned cDNAs encoding chicken preproparathyroid hormone

In order to characterize an avian parathyroid hormone gene, a lambda gt10 cDNA library constructed from chicken parathyroid gland mRNA was screened with a human preproparathyroid hormone (preproPTH) cDNA probe. Nucleotide sequence analysis of three independent clones confirmed that they encoded chicken preproPTH. This analysis, complemented by primer extension and Northern blot analysis of mRNA, demonstrated a 5'-untranslated region for chicken preproPTH of 127 nucleotides, a coding region of 357 nucleotides, and a 3'-untranslated region of approximately 2500 nucleotides. The coding sequence predicts a mature chicken PTH of 88 amino acids in contrast to the 84 amino acids of the mammalian hormones. Comparison of the avian and the mammalian hormones shows striking homology in the region of amino acids 1-32. The middle and carboxyl-terminal portions of chicken PTH, however, differ considerably from the mammalian hormones and include deletions of sequences conserved in mammalian PTH and insertions of novel peptide sequences. Comparison of the avian and mammalian structures suggests potential alterations of the mammalian sequences that may lead to altered bioactivity and/or hormone metabolism.

On antisense peptides: the parathyroid hormone as an experimental example and a critical theoretical view

We followed an approach which predicts that translation of two complementary RNA strands into protein generates pairs of "antisense" peptides which bind each other with specific and high affinity (Bost et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (1985) 82, 1372). We used human parathormone as an experimental example, and we analysed by computer homologies between antisense peptide sequences and their published receptor sequences. We conclude that there is no experimental indication that parathormone binds to a synthetic peptide, the sequence of which was derived from the antisense RNA sequence. Based on homology scores and antigenicity indexes (Hopp) the analysis shows that the peptide ligand itself, or a random artificial peptide, are as good candidates as the antisense peptide in producing antibodies, presumably recognizing the receptor. We therefore question the general applicability of this approach.