The role of calcium-sensing receptor signaling in regulating transepithelial calcium transport.

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) plays a critical role in sensing extracellular calcium (Ca2+) and signaling to maintain Ca2+ homeostasis. In the parathyroid, the CaSR regulates secretion of parathyroid hormone, which functions to increase extracellular Ca2+ levels. The CaSR is also located in other organs imperative to Ca2+ homeostasis including the kidney and intestine, where it modulates Ca2+ reabsorption and absorption, respectively. In this review, we describe CaSR expression and its function in transepithelial Ca2+ transport in the kidney and intestine. Activation of the CaSR leads to G protein dependent and independent signaling cascades. The known CaSR signal transduction pathways involved in modulating paracellular and transcellular epithelial Ca2+ transport are discussed. Mutations in the CaSR cause a range of diseases that manifest in altered serum Ca2+ levels. Gain-of-function mutations in the CaSR result in autosomal dominant hypocalcemia type 1, while loss-of-function mutations cause familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia. Additionally, the putative serine protease, FAM111A, is discussed as a potential regulator of the CaSR because mutations in FAM111A cause Kenny Caffey syndrome type 2, gracile bone dysplasia, and osteocraniostenosis, diseases that are characterized by hypocalcemia, hypoparathyroidism, and bony abnormalities, i.e. share phenotypic features of autosomal dominant hypocalcemia. Recent work has helped to elucidate the effect of CaSR signaling cascades on downstream proteins involved in Ca2+ transport across renal and intestinal epithelia; however, much remains to be discovered.

Developmental Changes in Phosphate Homeostasis.

Phosphate is a multivalent ion critical for a variety of physiological functions including bone formation, which occurs rapidly in the developing infant. In order to ensure maximal bone mineralization, young animals must maintain a positive phosphate balance. To accomplish this, intestinal absorption and renal phosphate reabsorption are greater in suckling and young animals relative to adults. This review discusses the known intestinal and renal adaptations that occur in young animals in order to achieve a positive phosphate balance. Additionally, we discuss the ontogenic changes in phosphotropic endocrine signalling as it pertains to intestinal and renal phosphate handling, including several endocrine factors not always considered in the traditional dogma of phosphotropic endocrine signalling, such as growth hormone, triiodothyronine, and glucocorticoids. Finally, a proposed model of how these factors may contribute to achieving a positive phosphate balance during development is proposed.

Proteasomal degradation competes with Mia40-mediated import into mitochondria.

Tandem fluorescent protein timers are elegant tools to determine proteolytic stabilities of cytosolic proteins with high spatial and temporal resolution. In a new study published in BMC Biology, Kowalski et al. fused timers to precursors of proteins of the mitochondrial intermembrane space and found that they are under surveillance of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Ubiquitination at lysine residues of these precursors directly inhibits their translocation into the intermembrane space and targets them for proteasomal degradation.

NHA2 is expressed in distal nephron and regulated by dietary sodium.

Increased renal reabsorption of sodium is a significant risk factor in hypertension. An established clinical marker for essential hypertension is elevated sodium lithium countertransport (SLC) activity. NHA2 is a newly identified Na+(Li+)/H+ antiporter with potential genetic links to hypertension, which has been shown to mediate SLC activity and H+-coupled Na+(Li+) efflux in kidney-derived MDCK cells. To evaluate a putative role in sodium homeostasis, we determined the effect of dietary salt on NHA2. In murine kidney sections, NHA2 localized apically to distal convoluted (both DCT1 and 2) and connecting tubules, partially overlapping in distribution with V-ATPase, AQP2, and NCC1 transporters. Mice fed a diet high in sodium chloride showed elevated transcripts and expression of NHA2 protein. We propose a model in which NHA2 plays a dual role in salt reabsorption or secretion, depending on the coupling ion (sodium or protons). The identified novel regulation of Na+/H+ antiporter in the kidney suggests new roles in salt homeostasis and disease.