Biomedical subjects

M Desbarats

Publications and source records attributed to M Desbarats.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Mepe, the gene encoding a tumor-secreted protein in oncogenic hypophosphatemic osteomalacia, is expressed in bone.

The MEPE (matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein) gene is a strong candidate for the tumor-derived phosphaturic factor in oncogenic hypophosphatemic osteomalacia (OHO). X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is phenotypically similar to OHO and results from mutations in PHEX, a putative metallopeptidase believed to process a factor(s) regulating bone mineralization and renal phosphate reabsorption. Here we report the isolation of the murine homologue of MEPE, from a bone cDNA library, that encodes a protein of 433 amino acids, 92 amino acids shorter than human MEPE. Mepe, like Phex, is expressed by fully differentiated osteoblasts and down-regulated by 1,25-(OH)2D3. In contrast to Phex, Mepe expression is markedly increased during osteoblast-mediated matrix mineralization. Greater than normal Mepe mRNA levels were observed in bone and osteoblasts derived from Hyp mice, the murine homologue of human XLH. Our data provide the first evidence that MEPE/Mepe is expressed by osteoblasts in association with mineralization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

1,25-(OH)2D3 down-regulates expression of Phex, a marker of the mature osteoblast.

Mutations in the PHEX/Phex gene, which encodes for a protein with homology to neutral endopeptidases, are responsible for human and murine X-linked hypophosphatemia. The present study examined Phex messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression in cultured osteoblasts and its regulation by 1,25-(OH)2D3. Phex mRNA levels were quantitated on Northern blots by densitometric analysis relatively to GAPDH mRNA levels. Immunoreactive Phex protein levels were evaluated by immunoprecipitation using a polyclonal rabbit antiserum raised against a mouse Phex carboxy-terminal peptide. Beta-glycerophosphate-induced matrix mineralization in primary osteoblast cultures was associated with significant increases in Phex mRNA and protein. Phex mRNA and protein levels were low or undetectable in proliferating preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells and dramatically increased concomitantly with initiation of matrix mineralization. The pattern of Phex expression, however, was similar in nonmineralizing cultures grown in the absence of beta-glycerophosphate, indicating that the induction of Phex expression in MC3T3-E1 cells was related to cell differentiation rather than matrix mineralization. 1,25-(OH)2D3 inhibited mineral deposition and down-regulated Phex mRNA and protein expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that Phex is a marker of the fully differentiated osteoblast and that its expression is stimulated during beta-glycerophosphate-induced mineralization in primary osteoblast cultures and down-regulated by 1,25-(OH)2D3, an inhibitor of matrix mineralization. These findings add support for Phex having an important role in bone mineralization.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

cDNA cloning of the murine Pex gene implicated in X-linked hypophosphatemia and evidence for expression in bone.

The recently identified human PEX gene apparently encodes for a neutral endopeptidase that is mutated in patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia. The 3' and 5' ends of the coding region of PEX have not been cloned, nor has the tissue expression of the gene been identified. Here we report the isolation and characterization of the complete open reading frame of the mouse Pex gene and the demonstration of its expression in bone. Mouse Pex cDNA is predicted to encode a protein of 749 amino acids with 95% identity to the available human PEX sequence and significant homology to members of the membrane-bound metalloendopeptidase family. Northern blot analysis revealed a 6.6-kb transcript in bone and in cultured osteoblasts from normal mice that was not detectable in samples from the Hyp mouse, the murine homolog of human X-linked hypophosphatemia. Pex transcripts were, however, detectable in Hyp bone by RT-PCR amplification. Of particular interest, a cDNA clone from rat incisor shows 93% sequence identity to the 5' end of Pex cDNA, suggesting that Pex may be expressed in another calcified tissue, the tooth. The association of impaired mineralization of bone and teeth and disturbed renal phosphate reabsorption with altered expression of Pex suggests that the Pex gene product may play a critical role in these processes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Fine genetic mapping of the Hyp mutation on mouse chromosome X.

The hypophosphatemic (Hyp) mouse is the murine homolog of hypophosphatemic vitamin-D-resistant rickets (HYP) in human. Despite extensive investigations in the Hyp mouse, the pathophysiology of this X-linked dominant disorder remains unclear. As a first step toward cloning the Hyp gene, we have generated a high-resolution linkage map in the vicinity of the Hyp locus using two independent backcross panels segregating the Hyp mutation, one generated from an interspecific mating between C57BL/6J-Hyp/Hyp and Mus spretus and the other from an intrasubspecific mating between C57BL/6J-Hyp/Hyp and Mus musculus castaneus. Linkage analyses in 1101 backcross progeny using a total of 23 DNA markers favor the following gene order from the centromere: DXMitl3-(DXMit11, DXMit34)-(DXMit36, Alas2)-(Hyp, DXMit8O)-DXMi198-(DXMit28, DXMit33, DXMit7O)-Pdhal-DXMit2O. This study has localized Hyp to a region of approximately 1 cM flanked by the proximal markers DXMit36 and Alas2 and the distal marker DXMit98. One microsatellite marker, DXMit8O, was found to be very tightly linked to Hyp, as it was nonrecombinant with Hyp among all the progeny of both backcrosses corresponding to 1101 meioses.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment on bone formation by transplanted cells from normal and X-linked hypophosphatemic mice.

Bone cells isolated from the Hyp mouse, the murine homologue for hypophosphatemic vitamin D-resistant rickets, produce abnormal bone when transplanted to either normal or phosphate-supplemented Hyp mice. To assess whether correction of the bone formation by mutant cells transplanted into either normal or Hyp mice could be achieved in the presence of supraphysiologic serum concentrations of 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1.25-(OH)2D3), recipient mice of both genotypes were infused continuously with 1.25-(OH)2D3 (0.2 micrograms/kg/day). Bone nodules present in transplants recovered after 14 days were characterized by measuring the osteoid thickness and volume. Administration of 1.25-(OH)2D3 to Hyp mice corrected the defective bone formation by normal cells but not by pair-transplanted Hyp cells, despite normalization of serum phosphate levels and 3-fold increases in serum 1.25-(OH)2D3. The osteoid thickness and volume in Hyp transplants into 1.25-(OH)2D3-treated Hyp mice were, however, markedly reduced down to values observed for Hyp transplants into recipient normal mice. Administration of 1.25-(OH)2D3 to normal mice improved further bone formation by mutant cells without affecting that by pair-transplanted normal cells. Administration of 24.25-(OH)2D3 (1 microgram/kg/day) combined with 1.25-(OH)2D3 to recipient mice of both genotypes prevented the sharp fall in serum 24.25-(OH)2D3 but was not more beneficial than 1.25-(OH)2D3 alone for improving bone formation by transplanted Hyp cells. These observations demonstrate an abnormal response of the mutant cells to the extracellular environment and support the concept of an intrinsic osteoblast defect in the Hyp mouse.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗

PubMed1994

Phosphate transport by osteoblasts from X-linked hypophosphatemic mice.

Hypophosphatemic vitamin D-resistant rickets is characterized by impaired renal reabsorption of Pi. The underlying mechanism of this abnormality remains unknown. Because the osteoblast is likely a target for the HYP mutation, we investigated the Pi transport activity in osteoblasts isolated from the murine homologue for the human disease, the Hyp mouse. Kinetic analysis of sodium-dependent Pi uptake in quiescent normal and Hyp osteoblasts indicated no significant differences in apparent maximal capacity (Vmax) and apparent affinity (Km) of the carrier for Pi. In rapidly growing cells, higher levels of Pi uptake were observed in mutants cells associated with a 1.4- to 1.7-fold increase in Vmax and no change in Km for Pi. This increase in Pi uptake seemed related to changes in the sodium electrochemical gradient inasmuch as a similar increase was observed in alanine uptake. The adaptive response of sodium-dependent Pi transport to Pi deprivation was not altered in mutant cells relative to normal cells. To test whether the expression of a Pi transport defect was dependent on a humoral factor for its expression, we evaluated the activity of the serum from Hyp mice on Pi transport in osteoblasts from both genotypes. No difference in activity was observed between sera from normal and mutant mice. In summary, cultured osteoblasts derived from Hyp mice did not express impaired sodium-dependent Pi transport when compared with cells from normal mice.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1992

Defective bone formation by Hyp mouse bone cells transplanted into normal mice: evidence in favor of an intrinsic osteoblast defect.

The hypophosphatemic (Hyp) mouse is an animal model for human hypophosphatemic vitamin D-resistant rickets. We have reported that bone cells isolated from Hyp mice born to homozygous mutant females produce abnormal bone when transplanted into normal mice. To test whether an environmentally acquired defect of the mutant cells contributed to the impaired bone formation observed in transplants, periostea and osteoblasts from normal and Hyp littermates were transplanted intramuscularly into normal animals. To test more specifically for an hypophosphatemia-induced cell alteration before transplantation, bone cells isolated from phosphate-depleted normal mice were transplanted into normal animals. The bone nodules formed in 2 week transplants were characterized by measuring their osteoid thickness and volume. Impaired bone formation was evidenced in Hyp transplants compared to normal littermate transplants by increased osteoid thickness and volume. In contrast to cells from mutant mice, cells isolated from normal mice with comparable hypophosphatemia produced normal bone. These results indicate that the inability of Hyp osteoblasts to produce normal bone when placed in a normal environment is not the consequence of prior exposure to an altered environmental but likely of an intrinsic cellular abnormality. These observations add further support to the concept that the osteoblast is an important target for the Hyp mutation.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Effect of dietary phosphate deprivation and supplementation of recipient mice on bone formation by transplanted cells from normal and X-linked hypophosphatemic mice.

The hypophosphatemic (Hyp) mouse is the murine homolog for human hypophosphatemic vitamin D-resistant rickets. We previously reported that bone cells isolated from normal and Hyp mice produced abnormal bone when transplanted intramuscularly into mutant mice. To assess the role of hypophosphatemia on bone formation in transplants, normal and Hyp mouse periostea were pair transplanted into control or phosphate (P)-supplemented Hyp mice and into control or P-deprived normal mice. The bone nodules formed in transplants after 2 weeks were characterized by measuring the thickness of the surrounding osteoid seams and the relative osteoid volume. P restriction in normal recipient mice impaired bone formation by transplanted normal cells and aggravated the defective bone formation by Hyp cells. The osteoid thickness and volume remained significantly higher in Hyp transplants than in normal cotransplants, however. P supplementation of Hyp recipient mice normalized bone formation by transplanted normal cells but not by Hyp cells. However, a marked decrease in osteoid thickness and volume was observed in Hyp transplants down to values observed in normal recipient mice. These results indicate that hypophosphatemia is not the only cause of abnormal bone formation in the Hyp mouse but that an osteoblast dysfunction contributes to the bone disease. These observations further support the concept that the osteoblast may be an important target for the Hyp mutation.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Cultured osteoblasts from normal and hypophosphatemic mice: calcitriol receptors and biological response to the hormone.

The content and affinity of calcitriol receptors were analyzed in cultured osteoblasts from normal and hypophosphatemic mice. Hypertonic cell extracts were prepared by sonication followed by centrifugation at 200,000 g x 30 min. Analysis, at saturating levels of labeled 1,25(OH)2D3, revealed that binding of the hormone was dependent on the density of the cells plated and on the length of time in culture. It reached a maximum at 5 days of culture when 1.0 x 10(6) cells were plated. Under those conditions the binding capacity of Hyp osteoblasts was 6306 +/- 1267 sites/ng protein (mean +/- SEM) not different from N cells (7594 +/- 1713). The dissociation constant (Kd) was 18.3 +/- 5.4 and 20.0 +/- 5.7 pM for mutant and normal mouse osteoblasts respectively (NS). In both genotypes, a single peak for specific binding, migrating at approximately 3.0-3.5 S was observed by sucrose gradient centrifugation. 25-hydroxycholecalciferol-24-hydroxylase (24-OHase) was induced at 1 and 10 nM 1,25(OH)2D3 in a dose-dependent fashion. However, the induction was higher in mutant than in normal cells when the medium contained 1 mM and 2 mM phosphate salts. The difference vanished when cells were incubated in the presence of 3 and 4 mM phosphate salts. The effect of calcitriol on cultured osteoblasts was also analyzed in terms of collagen synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity. In the range of 10(-10) M to 10(-7) M, 1,25(OH)2D3 was found to inhibit collagen synthesis in a dose-dependent fashion. At physiological levels, 1,25(OH)2D3 (10(-11)M-10(-10)M), stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1988

Defective bone formation by transplanted Hyp mouse bone cells into normal mice.

The hypophosphatemic (Hyp) mouse is a model for human X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH). To test the hypothesis of an abnormal osteoblast function in XLH, periostea and osteoblasts isolated from normal and Hyp mice were transplanted im into normal and mutant mice. The thickness of the osteoid seams at the periphery of the bone nodules and the osteoid volume were measured in transplants as an index of bone formation. Impaired mineralization was evidenced in transplants of Hyp cells into Hyp mice by excessive osteoid thickness and volume compared with transplants of normal cells into normal mice. When normal cells were transplanted into mutant mice, the osteoid thickness and volume were markedly increased, demonstrating that the extracellular environment is critical for bone formation. In contrast, when Hyp cells were transplanted into normal mice, reduction, but not normalization, of the osteoid thickness and volume was observed. This abnormal bone formation supports the hypothesis of an osteoblast defect in the Hyp mouse.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Lethal osteogenesis imperfecta with amniotic band lesions: collagen studies.

An infant was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and died after 7 days. In addition, there were amniotic constriction bands and amputations of several digits of the upper and lower limbs. The radiologic picture was suggestive of type III OI. Histomorphometric analysis of the bone showed a trabecular bone volume of 15.1% compared to 26.9% for age-matched controls. This was due to a decreased apposition of matrix by the osteoblasts. Because abnormal collagen synthesis has been suggested as the underlying defect in most forms of OI, collagen studies were undertaken using intact tissues. Bone and skin collagen solubilities were strikingly reduced. Shortened type I collagen molecules, representing 25% of the total type I collagen, were produced by pepsin digestion of the demineralized bone matrix. The molecular weight of the shortened collagen, was 10 kd lower than normal for both the alpha 1 and alpha 2 chains as determined by gel electrophoresis. The bone acetic acid-soluble collagen showed few shortened alpha-chains. Twenty-five percent of the acid-soluble bone collagen was cleaved into shortened molecules by a pepsin digestion. The shortened alpha 1 chain was purified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and digested with CNBr. The analysis of the resulting fragments by HPLC and by gel electrophoresis unequivocally demonstrated that the shortened alpha 1 chain was derived from the alpha 1(I) chains and that the pepsin sensitivity extends from the amino terminal end of the chain to the alpha 1(I) CB5 peptide, approximately 120 residues inside the triple helix. These studies show a distinct structural abnormality of type I collagen in the bone matrix of this patient resulting in an increased sensitivity of the collagen to general enzymatic proteolysis. The importance of correlating clinical and biochemical information in OI is emphasized; classification and genetic counseling based only on clinical observations are inaccurate.

Amniotic Band Syndrome↗