Robust, quick, and convenient intraoperative method to differentiate parathyroid tissue.

BACKGROUND: Identification of parathyroid tissue during surgery is necessary for its preservation in situ or for autotransplantation to avoid postoperative hypoparathyroidism. Frozen sections are the gold standard for distinguishing parathyroid tissue from other tissues during thyroidectomy. Although frozen sections are very accurate, they are costly and require pathologists and technical staff. Parathyroid tissue is rich in mitochondria, which harbor Krebs-cycle enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase. In contrast, lactate dehydrogenase is expressed ubiquitously. These 2 enzymes are measured routinely as "leaked" enzymes. We hypothesized that the aspartate aminotransferase-to-lactate dehydrogenase ratio in suspended tissue could distinguish parathyroid tissue from other tissues. METHODS: We analyzed 94 specimens (43 parathyroid, 19 thyroid cancers, 13 normal lymph nodes, 10 adipose, 6 thyroid, and 3 miscellaneous tissues) from 55 patients who underwent thyroid or parathyroid surgery between March 2018 and June 2019 in our institution. Trace amounts of remnant parathyroid tissue from autotransplantation specimens were suspended in 1 mL of normal saline and measured for aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase. Approximately 1 mm3 of apparently distinct tissue minced by scissors (eg, thyroid gland, metastatic lymph node, etc) or washouts of needles used for preoperative aspiration biopsy were also measured for comparison. RESULTS: The aspartate aminotransferase-to-lactate dehydrogenase ratios in suspended parathyroid tissue specimens were consistently greater than those of other tissues (P < .001, Mann-Whitney test); 0.27 was the optimal cutoff value with 100% sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION: This method distinguished parathyroid tissue quickly and conveniently from other tissues intraoperatively with minimum cost and without dedicated pathologic staff. This methodology may serve useful in decreasing the incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism, especially in settings with limited access to pathologists.

A novel calcimimetic agent, evocalcet (MT-4580/KHK7580), suppresses the parathyroid cell function with little effect on the gastrointestinal tract or CYP isozymes in vivo and in vitro.

Cinacalcet hydrochloride (cinacalcet), an oral calcimimetic agent has been widely used for the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). In sharp contrast to vitamin D receptor activators, cinacalcet suppresses SHPT without inducing hypercalcemia or hyperphosphatemia. Nevertheless, some patients remain refractory to SHPT with this agent, as the dose cannot be sufficiently increased due to gastrointestinal symptoms. In order to resolve this issue, we have developed a newly synthesized calcimimetic agent, evocalcet (MT-4580/KHK7580). In a rat model of CKD induced by 5/6 nephrectomy, oral administration of evocalcet efficiently suppressed the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). With regard to the gastro-intestinal effects, cinacalcet induced a significant delay in gastric emptying in rats, while evocalcet did no marked effects on it. Evocalcet also demonstrated the less induction of emesis compared to cinacalcet in common marmosets. The pharmacological effects of evocalcet were observed at lower doses because of its higher bioavailability than cinacalcet, which may have contributed to the reduced GI tract symptoms. In addition, evocalcet showed no substantial direct inhibition of any CYP isozymes in in vitro liver microsome assay, suggesting a better profile in drug interactions than cinacalcet that inhibits cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6. These findings suggest that evocalcet can be a better alternative to cinacalcet, an oral calcimimetic agent, with a wider safety margin.

Effects of FGF-23-mediated ERK/MAPK signaling pathway on parathyroid hormone secretion of parathyroid cells in rats with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

This study is supposed to investigate the effect of FGF-23 on parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion through ERK/MAPK signaling pathway in secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) rat model. Thirty rats were equally served as the normal and SHPT groups. After transfection, parathyroid cells was assigned into blank, NC, pcDNA3.1-FGF-23, siRNA-FGF-23, U0126, and siRNA-FGF-23 + U0126 groups. The serum levels of Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and PTH were detected. HE and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining were used for the histopathological changes and the FGF-23, EKR1/2, and pEKR1/2 expressions. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expression of FGF-23, PTH, MAPK, EKR1/2, and Klotho. The proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle were all measured for parathyroid cells by CCK-8 assay, TUNEL staining and Flow cytometry. Compared with the normal group, the SHPT group showed increased serum levels PTH, P, ALP, and FGF-23 and mRNA and protein expressions of FGF-23 and PTH, whereas declined Ca and p-ERK1/2 expression, mRNA and protein expression of Klotho, cell apoptosis rate was reduced. Furthermore, compared to the blank and NC groups, the pcDNA3.1-FGF-23 and U0126 groups had a decreased mRNA expression of Klotho, protein expression of EKR1/2 and Klotho, and cell apoptosis rate was down-regulated, whereas the RNA and protein expressions of FGF-23 and PTH were up-regulated, and cell proliferation was elevated. The opposite results were observed in the siRNA-FGF-23 group. Our study demonstrated that FGF-23 could inhibit signaling transduction of ERK/MAPK pathway and accelerate the secretion of PTH in rats with SHPT.

5-Hydroxymethylcytosine discriminates between parathyroid adenoma and carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperparathyroidism is characterized by enlarged parathyroid glands due to an adenoma (80-85 %) or multiglandular disease (~15 %) causing hypersecretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and generally hypercalcemia. Parathyroid cancer is rare (<1-5 %). The epigenetic mark 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) is reduced in various cancers, and this may involve reduced expression of the ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) enzyme. Here, we have performed novel experiments to determine the 5hmC level and TET1 protein expression in 43 parathyroid adenomas (PAs) and 17 parathyroid carcinomas (PCs) from patients who had local invasion or metastases and to address a potential growth regulatory role of TET1. RESULTS: The global 5hmC level was determined by a semi-quantitative DNA immune-dot blot assay in a smaller number of tumors. The global 5hmC level was reduced in nine PCs and 15 PAs compared to four normal tissue samples (p < 0.05), and it was most severely reduced in the PCs. By immunohistochemistry, all 17 PCs stained negatively for 5hmC and TET1 showed negative or variably heterogeneous staining for the majority. All 43 PAs displayed positive 5hmC staining, and a similar aberrant staining pattern of 5hmC and TET1 was seen in about half of the PAs. Western blotting analysis of two PCs and nine PAs showed variable TET1 protein expression levels. A significantly higher tumor weight was associated to PAs displaying a more severe aberrant staining pattern of 5hmC and TET1. Overexpression of TET1 in a colony forming assay inhibited parathyroid tumor cell growth. CONCLUSIONS: 5hmC can discriminate between PAs and PCs. Whether 5hmC represents a novel marker for malignancy warrants further analysis in additional parathyroid tumor cohorts. The results support a growth regulatory role of TET1 in parathyroid tissue.

Distribution and regulation of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1α-hydroxylase in human parathyroid glands.

Parathyroid glands express the 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) 1α-hydroxylase (1αOHase). 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (calcitriol) synthesized by extrarenal tissues generally does not enter the circulation, but plays an autocrine/paracrine role specific to the cell type, and is regulated by the needs of that particular cell. While the role of calcitriol produced in the parathyroid glands presumably is to suppress PTH and cell growth, its regulation in this cell type has not been defined. In the present study, we found that regulation of the human parathyroid 1αOHase differs from the renal enzyme in that it is induced by FGF-23 and extracellular calcium. Hyperplastic parathyroid glands from patients with chronic kidney failure normally display a heterogeneous cellularity. We found that the 1αOHase is expressed at much higher levels in oxyphil cells than in chief cells in these patients. Recent findings indicate that oxyphil cell content is increased by treatment with calcium receptor activators (calcimimetics). Here, we demonstrate that the calcimimetic cinacalcet increases the expression of 1αOHase in human parathyroid cultures. Additionally, we found that the 1αOHase in human parathyroid cultures is functionally active, as evidenced by the ability of the enzyme to 1-hydroxylate 25(OH)D(3) in parathyroid monolayers. Calcium, as well as cinacalcet, also induced expression of the degradation enzyme 24-hydroxylase, indicating the presence of a negative feedback system in the parathyroid cells. Therefore, local production of 1αOHase suggests an autocrine/paracrine role in regulating parathyroid function and may mediate, in part, the suppression of PTH by calcium and FGF-23.

The secretory response of parathyroid hormone to acute hypocalcemia in vivo is independent of parathyroid glandular sodium/potassium-ATPase activity.

The involvement of sodium/potassium-ATPase in regulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion is inferred from in vitro studies. Recently, the α-klotho-dependent rapid recruitment of this ATPase to the parathyroid cell plasma membrane in response to low extracellular calcium ion was suggested to be linked to increased hormone secretion. In this study, we used an in vivo rat model to determine the importance of sodium/potassium-ATPase in PTH secretion. Glands were exposed and treated in situ with vehicle or ouabain, a specific inhibitor of sodium/potassium-ATPase. PTH secretion was significantly increased in response to ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid-induced acute hypocalcemia and to the same extent in both vehicle and ouabain groups. The glands were removed, and inhibition of the ATPase was measured by (86)rubidium uptake, which was found to be significantly decreased in ouabain-treated parathyroid glands, indicating inhibition of the ATPase. As ouabain induced systemic hyperkalemia, the effect of high potassium on hormone secretion was also examined but was found to have no effect. Thus, inhibition of the parathyroid gland sodium/potassium-ATPase activity in vivo had no effect on the secretory response to acute hypocalcemia. Hence, the suggested importance of this ATPase in the regulation of PTH secretion could not be confirmed in this in vivo model.

Predominant role of 25OHD in the negative regulation of PTH expression: clinical relevance for hypovitaminosis D.

Although severe deficiency of bioactive vitamin D (1,25OH2D) causes rickets, mild insufficiency of the hormone, known as hypovitaminosis D, is responsible for the occurrence of secondary hyperparathyroidism and osteoporosis. To clarify the pathophysiology of the disease, we studied the negative feedback effect of 1,25OH2D and its precursor 25OHD on the transcriptional activity of parathyroid hormone (PTH) gene using the PT-r parathyroid cell line. We found that PT-r cells express endogenous 1alpha-hydroxylase as well as PTH mRNAs. We also found the potent suppressive effect of physiological concentration of 25OHD on the transcriptional activity of PTH gene. A similar effect was obtained with 1,25OH2D but only with pharmacological concentration. Interestingly, the effect of 25OHD was completely abolished when the cells were treated with 1alpha-hydroxylase inhibitor ketoconazole. These results suggest that the negative feedback regulation of vitamin D on PTH gene transcription occurs not by the end-product 1,25OH2D but by its prohormone 25OHD via intracellular activation by 1alpha-hydroxylase within the parathyroid cells.

alpha-Klotho as a regulator of calcium homeostasis.

alpha-klotho was identified as a gene associated with premature aging-like phenotypes characterized by short lifespan. In mice, we found the molecular association of alpha-Klotho (alpha-Kl) and Na+,K+-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+,K+-ATPase) and provide evidence for an increase of abundance of Na+,K+-ATPase at the plasma membrane. Low concentrations of extracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]e) rapidly induce regulated parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion in an alpha-Kl- and Na+,K+-ATPase-dependent manner. The increased Na+ gradient created by Na+,K+-ATPase activity might drive the transepithelial transport of Ca2+ in cooperation with ion channels and transporters in the choroid plexus and the kidney. Our findings reveal fundamental roles of alpha-Kl in the regulation of calcium metabolism.

Differential expression of a subunit isoforms of the vacuolar-type proton pump ATPase in mouse endocrine tissues.

Vacuolar-type proton ATPase (V-ATPase) is a multi-subunit enzyme that couples ATP hydrolysis to the translocation of protons across membranes. Mammalian cells express four isoforms of the a subunit of V-ATPase. Previously, we have shown that V-ATPase with the a3 isoform is highly expressed in pancreatic islets and is located in the membranes of insulin-containing granules in the beta cells. The a3 isoform functions in the regulation of hormone secretion. In this study, we have examined the distribution of a subunit isoforms in endocrine tissues, including the adrenal, parathyroid, thyroid, and pituitary glands, with isoform-specific antibodies. We have found that the a3 isoform is strongly expressed in all these endocrine tissues. Our results suggest that functions of the a3 isoform are commonly involved in the process of exocytosis in regulated secretion.

Protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of the calcium-sensing receptor is stimulated by receptor activation and attenuated by calyculin-sensitive phosphatase activity.

The agonist sensitivity of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) can be altered by protein kinase C (PKC), with CaR residue Thr(888) contributing significantly to this effect. To determine whether CaR(T888) is a substrate for PKC and whether receptor activation modulates such phosphorylation, a phospho-specific antibody against this residue was raised (CaR(pT888)). In HEK-293 cells stably expressing CaR (CaR-HEK), but not in cells expressing the mutant receptor CaR(T888A), phorbol ester (PMA) treatment increased CaR(pT888) immunoreactivity as observed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Raising extracellular Ca(2+) concentration from 0.5 to 2.5 mM increased CaR(T888) phosphorylation, an effect that was potentiated stereoselectively by the calcimimetic NPS R-467. These responses were mimicked by 5 mM extracellular Ca(2+) and abolished by the calcilytic NPS-89636 and also by PKC inhibition or chronic PMA pretreatment. Whereas CaR(T888A) did exhibit increased apparent agonist sensitivity, by converting intracellular Ca(2+) (Ca(2+)(i)) oscillations to sustained plateau responses in some cells, we still observed Ca(2+)(i) oscillations in a significant number of cells. This suggests that CaR(T888) contributes significantly to CaR regulation but is not the exclusive determinant of CaR-induced Ca(2+)(i) oscillations. Finally, dephosphorylation of CaR(T888) was blocked by the protein phosphatase 1/2A inhibitor calyculin, a treatment that also inhibited Ca(2+)(i) oscillations. In addition, calyculin/PMA cotreatment increased CaR(T888) phosphorylation in bovine parathyroid cells. Therefore, CaR(T888) is a substrate for receptor-induced, PKC-mediated feedback phosphorylation and can be dephosphorylated by a calyculin-sensitive phosphatase.

Up-regulation of the gene encoding protein kinase A type I alpha regulatory subunit in nodular hyperplasia of parathyroid glands in patients with chronic renal failure.

CONTEXT: Hyperplasia of parathyroid glands in patients with chronic renal failure is classified into diffuse (DH) and nodular (NH) types, and NH is often refractory to routine medical therapy. OBJECTIVE: Although it is considered that the parenchymal cells initially proliferate diffusely and then some of them are transformed to form nodules consisting of monoclonal cells, the underlying molecular mechanism for such a transformation is not fully understood. In this study we tried to identify the genes that are up-regulated in NH. DESIGN AND SETTING: The cDNA population prepared from DH was subtracted from that prepared from NH by a PCR-based cDNA subtraction method. The resultant cDNAs were cloned and sequenced. To confirm the up-regulation of the identified genes, a total of 35 parathyroid glands (18 DH, 16 NH, and one mixed) obtained from 21 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: One of the nuclear genes identified was the PRKAR1A gene, which encodes type Ialpha regulatory subunit (RIalpha) of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that RIalpha was abundantly expressed in the nodular region, whereas the adjacent diffuse region displayed relatively low expression. Northern and Western blot analyses demonstrated up-regulation of RIalpha expression in most NH tested. Determination of PKA activities revealed that free PKA activities measured in the absence of cAMP in the assay were inversely correlated with RIalpha expression, indicating the functional significance of RIalpha up-regulation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the aberrant expression of RIalpha is involved in the diffuse to nodular transformation of hyperplasia of parathyroid glands by impairing cAMP/PKA signal transduction.

Expression of nitric oxide synthases in parathyroid gland adenoma and parathyroid gland hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the presented study was to perform the immunohistochemical detection of endothelial (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS) isoform of nitric oxide synthase in the adenomatous and hyperplastic parathyroid gland in relation to the apoptotic process. DESIGN AND SETTING: Tissue samples from 12 patients with parathyroid gland adenoma (PGA) and 10 patients with secondary parathyroid gland hyperplasia (PGH) were collected during surgery at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of The First Faculty of Medicine in Prague. METHODS: Three-step immunoperoxidase reaction on acetone-fixed cryostat sections was performed using both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against eNOS and iNOS. The detection of apoptotic cells was done using antibody against cleaved caspase-3 as an apoptotic marker. RESULTS: The immunoreactivity to eNOS antibody was observed in the endothelial lining of vessels in PGA, PGH and in the rim of normal parathyroid gland adjacent to PGA sample. Variable expression of eNOS was confirmed in arteries, arterioles, capillaries and veins in the glandular parenchyma as well as in the surrounding connective tissue. There was no iNOS immunoreactive cell detected in any examined sample. No apoptotic cells were detected. MAIN RESULT: Our findings confirm that eNOS is regularly expressed in the vasculature of PGA and PGH. CONCLUSION: eNOS observed in the vasculature of the enlarged parathyroid glands can serve as a factor that contributes to the viability of hypertrophic pathologic tissue. The lack of stimulating signals may be a reason for negative iNOS detection and negligible apoptotic rate.

m-Calpain colocalizes with the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) in caveolae in parathyroid cells and participates in degradation of the CaR.

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) is a G protein-coupled, seven-transmembrane receptor and resides within caveolin-rich membrane domains in bovine parathyroid cells. The proenzyme of calpain 2 (m-calpain) is a heterodimeric calcium-dependent cysteine protease consisting of catalytic and regulatory subunits. The effects of calcium on the enzyme include activation, autolysis, and subunit dissociation. Here, we examine the potential role of caveolin-1 and caveolae in regulating the cellular distribution and function of m-calpain in parathyroid cells. We show that the inactive heterodimeric forms of m-calpain are concentrated in caveolin-rich membrane fractions prepared from parathyroid cells incubated with low extracellular calcium (Ca2+(o)). In contrast, in cells incubated with 3 mm Ca2+(o), which activates the CaR and increases intracellular calcium, there is a reduction in m-calpain in association with an increase in CaR protein and phosphorylated protein kinase C alpha and beta in caveolin-rich fractions. To assess the impact of activation of calpain on CaR protein in caveolar fractions, we analyzed the effects of m-calpain on the CaR. Activation of the CaR with high Ca2+(o) induced the release of lower molecular weight fragments of the receptor into the cell culture medium, and calpain inhibitors blocked this effect. Moreover, the fragments of the CaR as well as caveolin-1, m-calpain, and alkaline phosphatase were localized in membrane vesicles shed by parathyroid cells, supporting the association of these proteins in living cells. Treatment of CaR proteins in vitro with m-calpain also resulted in the appearance of lower molecular weight fragments of the CaR. Our data suggest that localization of m-calpain within caveolae may contribute to maintenance of the enzyme in an inactive state and that m-calpain may also contribute to the regulation of CaR levels.

Selective interaction of megalin with postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95)-like membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) proteins.

Megalin is an integral membrane receptor belonging to the low-density lipoprotein receptor family. In addition to its role as an endocytotic receptor, megalin has also been proposed to have signalling functions. Using interaction cloning in yeast, we identified the membrane-associated guanylate kinase family member postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) as an interaction partner for megalin. PSD-95 and a truncated version of megalin were co-immunoprecipitated from HEK-293 cell lysates overexpressing the two proteins, which confirmed the interaction. The two proteins were found to be co-localized in these cells by confocal microscopy. Immunocytochemical studies showed that cells in the parathyroid, proximal tubuli of the kidney and placenta express both megalin and PSD-95. We found that the interaction between the two proteins is mediated by the binding of the C-terminus of megalin, which has a type I PSD-95/ Drosophila discs-large/zona occludens 1 (PDZ)-binding motif, to the PDZ2 domain of PSD-95. The PSD-95-like membrane-associated guanylate kinase ('MAGUK') family contains three additional members: PSD-93, synapse-associated protein 97 (SAP97) and SAP102. We detected these proteins, apart from SAP102, in parathyroid chief cells, a cell type having a marked expression of megalin. The PDZ2 domains of PSD-93 and SAP102 were also shown to interact with megalin, whereas no interaction was detected for SAP97. The SAP97 PDZ2 domain differed at four positions from the other members of the PSD-95 subfamily. One of these residues was Thr(389), located in the alphaB-helix and part of the hydrophobic pocket of the PDZ2 domain. Surface plasmon resonance experiments revealed that mutation of SAP97 Thr(389) to alanine, as with the other PSD-95-like membrane-associated guanylate kinases, induced binding to megalin.

Consistent decrease in telomere length in parathyroid tumors but alteration in telomerase activity limited to malignancies: preliminary report.

Telomerase is known to be activated and telomere length altered in various types of malignant and benign tumors, but whether this is also the case for parathyroid lesions has hitherto been unclear. We therefore investigated telomerase activity and telomere length in 3 parathyroid metastatic cancers, 6 adenomas, 2 cases of parathyroid hyperplasia, and 16 samples of normal parathyroid tissue. Telomerase activity, assayed by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol, was detected in all of the parathyroid cancers (100%), in none of the 8 parathyroid benign lesions, and in only 1 of the 16 normal parathyroid samples (8.3%). Telomere length, determined by the terminal restriction fragment assay, was reduced in the tumor tissues with a mean telomere length of 8.23 +/- 0.86 kbp compared with the 12.61 +/- 0.81 kbp for the 16 age-matched subjects (p = 0.002). The results indicate that telomerase activity and telomere length may reflect the biologic behavior of individual parathyroid lesions.

Characterization of heparanase from a rat parathyroid cell line.

Cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans undergo unique intracellular degradation pathways after they are endocytosed from the cell surface. Heparanase, an endo-beta-glucuronidase capable of cleaving heparan sulfate, has been demonstrated to contribute to the physiological degradation of heparan sulfate proteoglycans and therefore regulation of their biological functions. A rat parathyroid cell line was found to produce heparanase with an optimal activity at neutral and slightly acidic conditions suggesting that the enzyme participates in heparan sulfate proteoglycan metabolism in extralysosomal compartments. To elucidate the detailed properties of the purified enzyme, the substrate specificity against naturally occurring heparan sulfates and chemically modified heparins was studied. Cleavage sites of rat heparanase were present in heparan sulfate chains obtained from a variety of animal organs, but their occurrence was infrequent (average, 1-2 sites per chain) requiring recognition of both undersulfated and sulfated regions of heparan sulfate. On the other hand intact and chemically modified heparins were not cleaved by heparanase. The carbohydrate structure of the newly generated reducing end region of heparan sulfate cleaved by the enzyme was determined, and it represented relatively undersulfated structures. O-Sulfation of heparan sulfate chains also played important roles in substrate recognition, implying that rat parathyroid heparanase acts near the boundary of highly sulfated and undersulfated domains of heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Further elucidation of the roles of heparanase in normal physiological processes would provide an important tool for analyzing the regulation of heparan sulfate-dependent cell functions.

Telomerase is not activated in human hyperplastic and adenomatous parathyroid tissue.

BACKGROUND: Telomerase is a specific enzyme that appears to have a key role in cellular senescence and the progression of neoplastic tissue. High telomerase activity has been found in several cancers, but not in most normal and benign tissue. Little is known about the influence of telomerase on the abnormal growth associated with hyperparathyroidism. OBJECTIVE: To analyse telomerase activity in parathyroid tissue obtained from 29 patients undergoing surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism. DESIGN: Tissue for telomerase activity measurements was collected from six hyperplastic, 20 adenomatous and 22 normal parathyroid glands. METHODS: The highly sensitive PCR-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol, TRAP, combined with ELISA, was used to detect telomerase activity in tissue extracts containing 3.0 microg protein. RESULT: Telomerase was not activated in any of the analysed tissue by 3 microg protein. Reassay of 12 samples containing 6.0 microg protein verified these negative TRAP results. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that telomerase is not a part of the mechanism promoting parathyroid proliferation and the underlying conditions remain to be determined.

Isolation and characterization of coenzyme A glutathione disulfide as a parathyroid-derived vasoconstrictive factor.

BACKGROUND: Coenzyme A glutathione disulfide (CoA-SSG) was recently isolated from bovine adrenal glands and was shown to be a renal vasoconstrictor. The identification of CoA-SSG in human parathyroid glands and its action on cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are described here. METHODS AND RESULTS: After purification to homogeneity by several chromatographic steps, CoA-SSG was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and enzymatic analysis. The dose-dependent growth-stimulating effect of CoA-SSG on VSMCs, measured by the [(3)H]thymidine method, is characterized by a threshold of 10(-)(8) mol/L and a maximum effect of 10 micromol/L, increasing VSMC proliferation 254+/-21% above control. A dose of 10 micromol/L methylmalonyl-CoA and 10 micromol/L CoA increased the rate of proliferation of VSMCs only by 178+/-43% and 50+/-42% above control, respectively. Glutathione has no proliferative effect on VSMCs. The growth-stimulating effect of CoA-SSG (1 micromol/L) was decreased by the antagonists 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX; 11 micromol/L) (38% compared with CoA-SSG without antagonist) and pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2,4-disulfonic acid (PPADS; 10 micromol/L) (48% compared with CoA-SSG without antagonist; each P:<0. 05 versus control), indicating that the effect is mediated partly via A(2) and partly via P(2)Y(1) and/or P(2)Y(4) receptor. CONCLUSIONS: CoA-SSG may play a regulatory role in VSMC growth as a progression factor and thereby could play an important role in development of hypertension.

Telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP): A new molecular marker for parathyroid carcinoma.

Telomerase results to be active in human germ, stem cells, several malignant cell tumors and in immortalized cell lines. In order to investigate if molecular mechanisms other than Rb gene inactivation can be helpful to diagnose malignancy of parathyroid tumors, we decided to investigate the presence of active telomerase in homogenates from different pathological parathyroid tissues (hyperplastic, adenomatous, carcinomatous, and normal) and primary cell cultures. The TRAP assay was performed to detect this activity in histologically characterized normal, hyperplastic, adenomatous, and carcinomatous human parathyroid tissues, primary cell lines, and one metastatic tissue from parathyroid carcinoma. Only malignant parathyroid glands and the metastatic tissue were TRAP positive. Our findings suggest that telomerase expression could represent an important molecular mechanism underlying the acquisition and progression of an aggressive phenotype of epithelial parathyroid cells and it may help to predict their malignant potential. The TRAP assay is easy to perform and it could become an additional tool to be included in the harmamentarium for the molecular diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma.

Effects of extracellular calcium on the subcellular translocation of bovine parathyroid PKC isozymes.

The release of parathyroid hormone is regulated by the extracellular concentration of Ca2+ through a sensor(s) on the surface of the parathyroid cells, but few details are known on the further relay of the signal inside the cell. Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes is associated with their translocation from the cell soluble fraction to the particulate fraction of the cell. Therefore, identification of a subcellular localization of a PKC isozyme in parathyroid cells as a response to changes in extracellular Ca2+ should be an indication for its putative role in signal transduction coupled to the Ca2+ sensor. We have determined the subcellular localization of six PKC isozymes (alpha, betaI, betaII, epsilon, zeta, and iota) in nonstimulated parathyroid cells and in those treated with low (0.5 mM) and high (3.0 mM) extracellular Ca2+ by confocal microscopy. At the physiological concentration of serum Ca2+, all PKC isozymes studied were localized mainly to the cytosol, although to different extents. Low extracellular Ca2+ caused a redistribution of PKCalpha to the periphery of the cells. In contrast, PKCbetaI, -epsilon, -zeta, and -iota were translocated to the periphery of the cells at high extracellular Ca2+. These results indicate that PKCalpha, -betaI, -epsilon, -zeta, and -iota are involved in the response of parathyroid cells to changes in extracellular Ca2+.