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Biomedical subjects

H Jüppner

Publications and source records attributed to H Jüppner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Impaired growth, delayed ossification, and reduced osteoclastic activity in the growth plate of calcium-supplemented rats with renal failure.

Linear growth is reduced in prepubertal children with adynamic renal osteodystrophy, suggesting that the proliferation and/or differentiation of epiphyseal growth plate chondrocytes is abnormal in this disorder. To examine this issue, in situ hybridization and histochemistry were used to measure selected markers of endochondral bone formation and bone resorption in the proximal tibia of subtotally nephrectomized rats fed a high calcium diet to induce biochemical changes consistent with adynamic osteodystrophy. Blood ionized calcium concentrations were higher and serum PTH levels were lower in nephrectomized, calcium-supplemented rats than in either intact or nephrectomized control animals. Linear growth and tibial length were reduced, but messenger RNA levels for type II collagen, type X collagen, and the PTH/PTHrP receptor did not differ from control values in nephrectomized rats given supplemental calcium. In contrast, both the width of epiphyseal cartilage and the height of the zone of hypertrophic chondrocytes were greater in calcium-supplemented nephrectomized rats. These morphological changes were associated with decreases in histochemical staining for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and lower levels of messenger RNA expression for the matrix metalloproteinase MMP-9/gelatinase B immediately adjacent to the epiphyseal growth plate. Diminished chondroclastic/osteoclastic activity alters growth plate morphology and adversely affects linear bone growth in calcium-supplemented, nephrectomized rats.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Evaluating the ligand specificity of zebrafish parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptors: comparison of PTH, PTH-related protein, and tuberoinfundibular peptide of 39 residues.

Homologs of mammalian PTH1 and PTH2 receptors, and a novel PTH3 receptor have been identified in zebrafish (zPTH1, zPTH2, and zPTH3). zPTH1 receptor ligand specificity is similar to that of mammalian PTH1 receptors. The zPTH2 receptor is selective for PTH over PTH-related protein (PTHrP); however, PTH produces only modest cAMP accumulation. A PTH2 receptor-selective peptide, tuberoinfundibular peptide of 39 residues (TIP39), has recently been purified from bovine hypothalamus. The effect of TIP39 has not previously been examined on zebrafish receptors. The zPTH3 receptor was initially described as PTHrP selective based on comparison with the effects of human PTH. We have now examined the ligand specificity of the zebrafish PTH-recognizing receptors expressed in COS-7 cells using a wide range of ligands. TIP39 is a potent agonist for stimulation of cAMP accumulation at two putative splice variants of the zPTH2 receptor (EC50, 2.6 and 5.2 nM); in comparison, PTH is a partial agonist [maximal effect (Emax) of PTH peptides ranges from 28-49% of the TIP39 Emax]. As TIP39 is much more efficacious than any known PTH-like peptide, a homolog of TIP39 may be the zPTH2 receptor's endogenous ligand. At the zPTH3 receptor, rat PTH-(1-34) and rat PTH-(1-84) (EC50, 0.22 and 0.45 nM) are more potent than PTHrP (EC50, 1.5 nM), and rPTH-(1-34) binds with high affinity (3.2 nM). PTH has not been isolated from fish. PTHrP-like peptides, which have been identified in fish, may be the natural ligands for zPTH1 and zPTH3 receptors.

Animals↗

Zebrafish express the common parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related peptide receptor (PTH1R) and a novel receptor (PTH3R) that is preferentially activated by mammalian and fugufish parathyroid hormone-related peptide.

To further explore the evolution of receptors for parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related peptide (PTHrP), we searched for zebrafish (z) homologs of the PTH/PTHrP receptor (PTH1R). In mammalian genes encoding this receptor, exons M6/7 and M7 are highly conserved and separated by 81-84 intronic nucleotides. Genomic polymerase chain reaction using degenerate primers based on these exons led to two distinct DNA fragments comprising portions of genes encoding the zPTH1R and the novel zPTH3R. Sequence comparison of both full-length teleost receptors revealed 69% similarity (61% identity), but less homology with zPTH2R. When compared with hPTH1R, zPTH1R showed 76% and zPTH3R 67% amino acid sequence similarity; similarity with hPTH2R was only 59% for both teleost receptors. When expressed in COS-7 cells, zPTH1R bound [Tyr(34)]hPTH-(1-34)-amide (hPTH), [Tyr(36)]hPTHrP-(1-36)-amide (hPTHrP), and [Ala(29),Glu(30), Ala(34),Glu(35), Tyr(36)]fugufish PTHrP-(1-36)-amide (fuguPTHrP) with a high apparent affinity (IC(50): 1.2-3.5 nM), and was efficiently activated by all three peptides (EC(50): 1.1-1.7 nM). In contrast, zPTH3R showed higher affinity for fuguPTHrP and hPTHrP (IC(50): 2.1-11.1 nM) than for hPTH (IC(50): 118.2-127.0 nM); cAMP accumulation was more efficiently stimulated by fugufish and human PTHrP (EC(50): 0.47 +/- 0.27 and 0.45 +/- 0.16, respectively) than by hPTH (EC(50): 9.95 +/- 1.5 nM). Agonist-stimulated total inositol phosphate accumulation was observed with zPTH1R, but not zPTH3R.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A G protein-coupled receptor from zebrafish is activated by human parathyroid hormone and not by human or teleost parathyroid hormone-related peptide. Implications for the evolutionary conservation of calcium-regulating peptide hormones.

Genomic and cDNA clones encoding portions of a putative catfish parathyroid hormone (PTH) 2 receptor (PTH2R) led to the isolation of a cDNA encoding a full-length zebrafish PTH2R (zPTH2R). The zPTH2R shared 63 and 60% amino acid sequence identity with human and rat PTH2Rs, respectively, 47-52% identity with mammalian and frog PTH/PTHrP receptors (PTH1R), and less than 37% with other members of this family of G protein-coupled receptors. COS-7 cells expressing zPTH2R(43), a 5' splice variant that lacked 17 amino acids in the amino-terminal extracellular domain, showed cAMP accumulation when challenged with [Tyr(34)]hPTH(1-34)-amide (hPTH) (EC(50), 1.64 +/- 0. 95 nM) and [Ile(5),Trp(23),Tyr(36)]hPTHrP-(1-36)-amide ([Ile(5), Trp(23)]hPTHrP) (EC(50), 46.8 +/- 12.1 nM) but not when stimulated with [Tyr(36)]hPTHrP-(1-36)-amide (hPTHrP), [Trp(23), Tyr(36)]hPTHrP-(1-36)-amide ([Trp(23)]hPTHrP), or [Ala(29),Glu(30), Ala(34),Glu(35),Tyr(36)]fugufish PTHrP-(1-36)amide (fuguPTHrP). FuguPTHrP also failed to activate the human PTH2R but had similar efficiency and efficacy as hPTH and hPTHrP when tested with cells expressing the human PTH1R. Agonist-dependent activation of zPTH2R was less efficient than that of zPTH2R(43), and both receptor variants showed no cAMP accumulation when stimulated with either secretin, growth hormone-releasing hormone, or calcitonin. The zPTH2R thus has ligand specificity similar to that of the human homolog, which raises the possibility that a PTH-like molecule exists in zebrafish, species which lack parathyroid glands.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Receptors for PTH and PTHrP: their biological importance and functional properties.

The type 1 receptor (PTH1R) for parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) is a G protein-coupled receptor that is highly expressed in bone and kidney and mediates in these tissues the PTH-dependent regulation of mineral ion homeostasis. The PTH1R also mediates the paracrine actions of PTHrP, which play a particularly vital role in the process of endochondral bone formation. These important functions, the likely involvement of the PTH1R in certain genetic diseases affecting skeletal development and calcium homeostasis, and the potential utility of PTH in treating osteoporosis have been the driving force behind intense investigations of both the receptor and its peptide ligands. Recent lines of work have led to the identification of constitutively active PTH1Rs in patients with Jansen's metaphyseal chondrodysplasia, the demonstration of inverse agonism by certain ligand analogs, and the discovery of the PTH-2 receptor subtype that responds to PTH but not PTHrP. As reviewed herein, a detailed exploration of the receptor-ligand interaction process is currently being pursued through the use of site-directed mutagenesis and photoaffinity cross-linking methods; ultimately, such work could enable the development of novel PTH receptor ligands that have therapeutic value in treating diseases such as osteoporosis and certain forms of hypercalcemia.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Studies of the N-terminal region of a parathyroid hormone-related peptide (1-36) analog: receptor subtype-selective agonists, antagonists, and photochemical cross-linking agents.

The N-terminal regions of PTH and PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) are involved in receptor-mediated signaling and subtype selectivity. To better understand the molecular basis for these processes, we first prepared a series of [I5,W23,Y36]-PTHrP(1-36)NH2 analogs having stepwise deletions of residues 1-4 and characterized them with the human (h)PTH-1 and hPTH-2 receptor subtypes stably transfected in LLC-PK1 cells. Deletions beyond residue 2 caused progressive and severe losses in cAMP-signaling efficacy without dramatically diminishing receptor-binding affinity; consistent with this, [I5,W23]-PTHrP(5-36) was a potent antagonist for both PTH receptor subtypes. We then prepared and characterized photolabile analogs of [I5,W23,Y36]-PTHrP(1-36)NH2 that were singly modified with parabenzoyl-L-phenylalanine (Bpa) along the first six residues. These full-length analogs exhibited receptor subtype-selective agonism, antagonism, and photochemical cross-linking profiles. In particular, the [Bpa2]- and [Bpa4]-substituted analogs selectively antagonized and preferentially cross-linked to the PTH-1 receptor and PTH-2 receptor, respectively. These results demonstrate that the 1-5 region of [I5,W23]-PTHrP(1-36) is critical for activating the PTH-1 and PTH-2 receptors and suggest that the individual residues in this region play distinct roles in modulating the activation states of the two receptors. The cross-linking of both agonist and antagonist ligands to these PTH receptors lays the groundwork for identifying critical signaling determinants in the ligand binding pocket of the receptor.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

A novel immunoradiometric assay detects full-length human PTH but not amino-terminally truncated fragments: implications for PTH measurements in renal failure.

In 8 adolescents with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), basal PTH concentrations measured with a novel immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) (Scantibodies Laboratory, Inc.; S-IRMA) were invariably lower than those estimated with an established assay (Nichols Institute; N-IRMA) (263 +/- 228 versus 645 +/- 442 pg/ml, respectively; p<0.00001). During in vivo dynamic testing, set points for calcium-regulated PTH release were indistinguishable for both IRMAs (1.21 +/- 0.05 versus 1.22 +/- 0.06). However, maximal PTH concentrations were significantly lower when measured by S-IRMA then by N-IRMA (557 +/- 448 and 1114 +/- 606 pg/ml, respectively); minimum PTH concentrations were 41 +/- 65 pg/ml (5.0 +/- 4.2% of maximum) and 189 +/- 137 pg/ml (13.6 +/- 7.2% of maximum), respectively. Correlation between PTH and blood ionized calcium indicated that PTH measured by S-IRMA decreased more readily than the concentrations determined by N-IRMA. The N-IRMA showed indistinguishable cross-reactivity with hPTH(1-84) and hPTH(7-84), while the S-IRMA detected only the full-length peptide. Furthermore, the radiolabeled detection antibody of the N-IRMA interacted equivalently with hPTH(1-34) and hPTH(2-34), while the S-IRMA showed crossreactivity only with hPTH(1-34). These differences in assay specificity could explain the observed differences in ESRD, and suggest that PTH concentrations estimated by the S-IRMA reflect more accurately the amount of biologically active PTH in the circulation. Since low concentrations of PTH are frequently associated with adynamic bone disease, our findings may have significant implications for the treatment of renal osteodystrophy with calcium and/or biologically active vitamin D analogs.

Adolescent↗

A novel parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related peptide receptor mutation in Jansen's metaphyseal chondrodysplasia.

Two heterozygous PTH/PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) receptor missense mutations were previously identified in patients with Jansen's metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (JMC), a rare form of short limb dwarfism associated with hypercalcemia and normal or undetectable levels of PTH and PTHrP. Both mutations, H223R and T410P, resulted in constitutive activation of the cAMP signaling pathway and provided a plausible explanation for the abnormalities in skeletal development and mineral ion homeostasis. In the present study we analyzed genomic DNA from four additional sporadic cases with JMC to search for novel activating mutations in the PTH/PTHrP receptor, to determine the frequency of the two previously identified missense mutations, H223R and T410P, and to determine whether different mutations present with different severity of the disease. The H223R mutation was identified in three novel JMC patients and is, therefore, to date the most frequent cause of JMC. In the fourth patient, a novel heterozygous missense mutation was found that changes isoleucine 458 in the receptor's seventh membrane-spanning region to arginine (I458R). In COS-7 cells expressing the human PTH/PTHrP receptor with the I458R mutation, basal cAMP accumulation was approximately 8 times higher than that in cells expressing the wild-type receptor despite impaired surface expression of the mutant receptor. Furthermore, the I458R mutant showed higher responsiveness to PTH than the wild-type receptor in its ability to activate both downstream effectors, adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C. Like the H223R and the T410P mutants, the I458R mutant had no detectable effect on basal inositol phosphate accumulation. Overall, the patient with the I458R mutation exhibited clinical and biochemical abnormalities similar to those in patients with the previously identified H223R and T410P mutations.

Animals↗

The gene responsible for pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ib is paternally imprinted and maps in four unrelated kindreds to chromosome 20q13.3.

Hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia caused by parathyroid hormone (PTH)-resistance are the only discernible abnormalities in pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ib (PHP-Ib). Because mutations in the PTH/PTH-related peptide receptor, a plausible candidate gene, had been excluded previously, we conducted a genome-wide search with four PHP-Ib kindreds and established linkage to a small telomeric region on chromosome 20q, which contains the stimulatory G protein gene. We, furthermore, showed that the genetic defect is imprinted paternally and thus is inherited in the same mode as the PTH-resistant hypocalcemia in kindreds with PHP-Ia and/or pseudo-pseudohypoparathyroidism, two related disorders caused by different stimulatory G protein mutations.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Evidence for a ligand interaction site at the amino-terminus of the parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related protein receptor from cross-linking and mutational studies.

Low resolution mutational studies have indicated that the amino-terminal extracellular domain of the rat parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related protein (PTHrP) receptor (rP1R) interacts with the carboxyl-terminal portion of PTH-(1-34) or PTHrP-(1-36). To further define ligand-receptor interactions, we prepared a fully functional photoreactive analog of PTHrP, [Ile5,Bpa23,Tyr36]PTHrP-(1-36)-amide ([Bpa23]PTHrP, where Bpa is p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine). Upon photolysis, radioiodinated [Bpa23]PTHrP covalently and specifically bound to the rP1R. CNBr cleavage of the broad approximately 80-kDa complex yielded a radiolabeled approximately 9-kDa non-glycosylated protein band that could potentially be assigned to rP1R residues 23-63, Tyr23 being the presumed amino-terminus of the receptor. This assignment was confirmed using a mutant rP1R (rP1R-M63I) that yielded, upon photoligand binding and CNBr digestion, a broad protein band of approximately 46 kDa, which was reduced to a sharp band of approximately 20 kDa upon deglycosylation. CNBr digestion of complexes formed with two additional rP1R double mutants (rP1R-M63I/L40M and rP1R-M63I/L41M) yielded non-glycosylated protein bands that were approximately 6 kDa in size, indicating that [Bpa23]PTHrP cross-links to amino acids 23-40 of the rP1R. This segment overlaps a receptor region previously identified by deletion mapping to be important for ligand binding. Alanine scanning of this region revealed two residues, Thr33 and Gln37, as being functionally involved in ligand binding. Thus, the convergence of photoaffinity cross-linking and mutational data demonstrates that the extreme amino-terminus of the rP1R participates in ligand binding.

Animals↗

Growth of long bones in renal failure: roles of hyperparathyroidism, growth hormone and calcitriol.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (2 degrees HPT) associated with chronic renal failure adversely affects skeletal growth. METHODS: We assessed epiphyseal growth plate morphology by quantitative histology and measured mRNA levels for selected markers of chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation by in situ hybridization in the growth plate cartilage of subtotally nephrectomized rats with either mild or advanced 2 degrees HPT. RESULTS: The width of the growth plate cartilage in the proximal tibia and mRNA levels for PTH/PTHrP receptor were unchanged in rats with mild 2 degrees HPT, however, they were markedly less in nephrectomized rats with advanced 2 degrees HPT than in intact controls. Treatment with growth hormone 10 IU/kg/day increased growth plate thickness both in mild and in advanced 2 degrees HPT and raised mRNA levels for type II and type X collagen in rats with advanced 2 degrees HPT. The administration of calcitriol 50 ng/kg/day attenuated these responses in animals with advanced 2 degrees HPT. Overall, PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA levels did not correspond to the serum levels of PTH indicating that PTH/PTHrP receptor expression is down-regulated in renal failure by a PTH-independent mechanism. CONCLUSION: Calcitriol counteracts the trophic actions of growth hormone on epiphyseal growth plate cartilage and modifies chondrocyte differentiation in vivo, and these mechanisms may contribute to disturbances in longitudinal bone growth in renal failure.

Animals↗

Diminished linear growth during intermittent calcitriol therapy in children undergoing CCPD.

Daily calcitriol therapy has been reported to improve linear growth in children with renal bone disease, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is a key regultor of chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. Whereas large intermittent doses of calcitriol can lower serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and reverse the skeletal changes of secondary hyperparathyroidism, the impact of intermittent calcitriol therapy on linear growth in children is not known. Thus, we studied 16 pre-pubertal patients with bone biopsy-proven secondary hyperparathyroidism who completed a 12-month prospective clinical trial of intermittent calcitriol therapy. Biochemical results and growth data obtained during intermittent calcitriol therapy were compared to values determined during the preceding 12 months of daily calcitriol therapy in each study subject; changes in bone histology were assessed after one year of intermittent calcitriol therapy. Z-scores for height did not change during 12 months of daily calcitriol therapy. Although the skeletal lesions of secondary hyperparathyroidism improved in most patients, Z-scores for height decreased from -1.8 +/- 0.32 to -2.0 +/- 0.33, P < 0.01, during intermittent calcitriol therapy. The largest reductions were seen in patients who developed adynamic bone lesions after 12 months of treatment. Delta Z-scores for height correlated with serum PTH, r = 0.71, P < 0.01, and alkaline phosphatase levels, r = 0.67, P < 0.01, during intermittent calcitriol therapy but not during daily calcitriol therapy. The data suggest that high dose intermittent calcitriol therapy adversely affects linear growth, particularly in patients with the adynamic lesion. The higher doses of calcitriol or the intermittent schedule of calcitriol administration may directly inhibit chondrocyte activity within growth plate cartilage of children with end-stage renal disease.

Adolescent↗

Identification, functional characterization, and developmental expression of two nonallelic parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related peptide receptor isoforms in Xenopus laevis (Daudin).

Complementary DNAs encoding two nonallelic PTH/PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) receptor (PPR) isoforms, xPPR-A and xPPR-B, were isolated from a kidney complementary DNA library of the tetraploid African clawed frog Xenopus laevis. Both isoforms differ in their coding region by 19 amino acids, and lack the region corresponding to the mammalian exon E2. When expressed in mammalian COS-7 cells, both receptor isoforms bound radiolabeled PTH-(1-34) and PTHrP-(1-36) analogs with comparable affinity, and both unlabeled peptides equivalently stimulated the accumulation of cAMP. xPPR-A also mediated inositol phosphate turnover in COS cells and stimulated channel-mediated current changes in voltage clamp experiments after injection into oocytes. Using ribonuclease protection analysis, significant xPPR-A messenger RNA expression was first detected in neurula stage embryos, which subsequently increased approximately 30-fold during tadpole development. Expression reached a maximum at the metamorphotic climax, when isoform B also became detectable at significant levels, and subsequently declined in postmetamorphotic froglets. In the adult frog, xPPR-A was prominently expressed in lung, brain, small bowel, and skin, whereas isoform B was highest in lung, heart, and brain. Using an xPPR-A antisense riboprobe for in situ hybridization, expression appeared during metamorphosis at all sites of chondrogenesis, specifically in the maturing zone of the amphibian growth plate. xPPR-A expression was also seen in a subpopulation of mononuclear cells, possibly representing osteoblasts that line perichondral bone and diaphyseal bone trabeculae. Our findings suggest that xPPRs serve a prominent role in amphibian skeletal development and possibly other functions during embryonal and early larval development.

Aging↗

Functional analysis of the PTH/PTHrP network of ligands and receptors.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) are two related proteins that activate a common PTH/PTHrP receptor, yet have quite distinct physiologic missions. PTH is the major peptide regulator of blood calcium in higher vertebrates, while PTHrP predominantly acts as a paracrine regulator of differentiation and local intercellular signaling. To analyze the physiological roles of PTHrP and the PTH/PTHrP receptor, "knockout" mice missing either the PTHrP or the PTH/PTHrP receptor gene were developed. Both the PTHrP (-/-) mice and the PTH/PTHrP receptor (-/-) mice exhibit a growth plate chondrodysplasia that reflects accelerated differentiation of proliferating chondrocytes. Growth plate chondrocytes regulate the local production of PTHrP by secreting the protein, Indian hedgehog (Ihh), as they are leaving the proliferative pool. Ihh stimulates the production of PTHrP, which then slows the differentiation of chondrocytes, thereby delaying the production of Ihh. PTHrP also stimulates transport of calcium across the placenta. PTHrP (-/-) mice lack the normal elevation of fetal blood calcium (when compared to maternal levels) and have low placental transport of calcium. Fragments of PTHrP that do not bind to the PTH/PTHrP receptor can correct the defect of placental calcium transport in these mice. Thus, this action of PTHrP is not mediated by the PTH/PTHrP receptor. The "knockout" mice thus help delineate the roles of PTH. PTHrP, and the PTH/PTHrP receptor in an interacting network of ligands and receptors.

Animals↗

Targeted expression of constitutively active receptors for parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-related peptide delays endochondral bone formation and rescues mice that lack parathyroid hormone-related peptide.

Mice in which the genes encoding the parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related peptide (PTHrP) or the PTH/PTHrP receptor have been ablated by homologous recombination show skeletal dysplasia due to accelerated endochondral bone formation, and die at birth or in utero, respectively. Skeletal abnormalities due to decelerated chondrocyte maturation are observed in transgenic mice where PTHrP expression is targeted to the growth plate, and in patients with Jansen metaphyseal chondrodysplasia, a rare genetic disorder caused by constitutively active PTH/PTHrP receptors. These and other findings thus indicate that PTHrP and its receptor are essential for chondrocyte differentiation. To further explore the role of the PTH/PTHrP receptor in this process, we generated transgenic mice in which expression of a constitutively active receptor, HKrk-H223R, was targeted to the growth plate by the rat alpha1 (II) collagen promoter. Two major goals were pursued: (i) to investigate how constitutively active PTH/PTHrP receptors affect the program of chondrocyte maturation; and (ii) to determine whether expression of the mutant receptor would correct the severe growth plate abnormalities of PTHrP-ablated mice (PTHrP-/-). The targeted expression of constitutively active PTH/PTHrP receptors led to delayed mineralization, decelerated conversion of proliferative chondrocytes into hypertrophic cells in skeletal segments that are formed by the endochondral process, and prolonged presence of hypertrophic chondrocytes with delay of vascular invasion. Furthermore, it corrected at birth the growth plate abnormalities of PTHrP-/- mice and allowed their prolonged survival. "Rescued" animals lacked tooth eruption and showed premature epiphyseal closure, indicating that both processes involve PTHrP. These findings suggest that rescued PTHrP-/- mice may gain considerable importance for studying the diverse, possibly tissue-specific role(s) of PTHrP in postnatal development.

Animals↗

Residues in the membrane-spanning and extracellular loop regions of the parathyroid hormone (PTH)-2 receptor determine signaling selectivity for PTH and PTH-related peptide.

The parathyroid hormone (PTH)-2 receptor displays strong ligand selectivity in that it responds fully to PTH but not at all to PTH-related peptide (PTHrP). In contrast, the PTH-1 receptor (PTH/PTHrP receptor) responds fully to both ligands. Previously it was shown that two divergent residues in PTH and PTHrP account for PTH-2 receptor selectivity; position 23 (Trp in PTH and Phe in PTHrP) determines binding selectivity and position 5 (Ile in PTH and His in PTHrP) determines signaling selectivity. To identify sites in the PTH-2 receptor involved in discriminating between His5 and Ile5, we constructed PTH-2 receptor/PTH-1 receptor chimeras, expressed them in COS-7 cells, and tested for cAMP responsiveness to [Trp23] PTHrP-(1-36), and to the nondiscriminating peptide [Ile5, Trp23]PTHrP-(1-36) (the Phe23 --> Trp modification enabled high affinity binding of each ligand to the PTH-2 receptor). The chimeras revealed that the membrane-spanning/loop region of the receptor determined His5/Ile5 signaling selectivity. Subsequent analysis of smaller cassette substitutions and then individual point mutations led to the identification of two single residues that function as major determinants of residue 5 signaling selectivity. These residues, Ile244 at the extracellular end of transmembrane helix 3, and Tyr318 at the COOH-terminal portion of extracellular loop 2, are replaced by Leu and Ile in the PTH-1 receptor, respectively. The results thus indicate a functional interaction between two residues in the core region of the PTH-2 receptor and residue 5 of the ligand.

Amino Acid Sequence↗