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T Naveh-Many

Publications and source records attributed to T Naveh-Many.

44 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Regulation of calcitonin gene transcription by vitamin D metabolites in vivo in the rat.

Calcitonin is secreted by the C cells of the thyroid in response to a raised serum calcium, and acts on bone to lower serum calcium. The C cells have specific receptors for the dihydroxymetabolite of vitamin D3, 1,25(OH)2D3. Moreover, calcitonin stimulates the synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D3 in the kidney. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), the third calciotrophic hormone, is also trophic to the renal synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D3, and in turn 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits PTH gene transcription and synthesis. We report here the marked inhibition of calcitonin gene transcription by the injection of physiologically relevant doses of 1,25(OH)2D3 to normal rats that did not raise serum calcium. Calcitonin mRNA levels after 100 pmol 1,25(OH)2D3 decreased to 6% of basal at 6 h and 4% at 48 h, and a dose response showed a marked effect even after 12.5 pmol 1,25(OH)2D3, with no appreciably greater effect with larger doses (up to 200 pmol). Control genes, actin, thyroglobulin (thyroid follicular cells), somatostatin (thyroid C-cells) were not affected by 1,25(OH)2D3. Gel blots showed that 1,25(OH)2D3 decreased calcitonin mRNA levels without any change in its size. In vitro nuclear transcription showed that 1,25(OH)2D3-treated (100 pmol) rats' calcitonin transcription was 10% of control, while thyroglobulin and actin were 100%. We propose that calcium is the major regulator of PTH and calcitonin secretion, while 1,25(OH)2D3 is an important regulator of PTH and calcitonin gene transcription. We believe this to be the first demonstration of an effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the C cells thereby establishing a new target organ and site of action of vitamin D. Calcitonin is trophic to 1,25(OH)2D3 synthesis, which in turn inhibits calcitonin synthesis, which are the components of a new endocrinological feedback loop.

Actins↗

Regulation by vitamin D metabolites of parathyroid hormone gene transcription in vivo in the rat.

In vitro 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3) decreased levels of preproparathyroid(preproPTH) hormone mRNA. We have now pursued these studies in vivo in the rat. Rats were administered vitamin D metabolites i.p. and the levels of preproPTH mRNA were determined in excised parathyroid-thyroid glands by blot hybridization. PreproPTH mRNA levels were less than 4% of basal at 48 h after 100 pmol 1,25(OH)2D3, with no increase in serum calcium. Gel blots showed that 1,25(OH)2D3 decreased preproPTH mRNA levels without any change in its size (833 basepair). Microdissected parathyroids after 1,25(OH)2D3 (100 pmol) showed mRNA levels for preproPTH were 40 +/- 8% of controls, but for beta-actin were 100% of controls. The relative potencies of vitamin D metabolites were: 1,25(OH)2D3 greater than 24,25(OH)2D3 greater than 25(OH)D3 greater than vitamin D3. In vitro nuclear transcription showed that 1,25(OH)2D3-treated (100 pmol) rats' PTH transcription was 10% of control, while beta-actin was 100%. These results show that 1,25(OH)2D3 regulates PTH gene transcription. PTH stimulates 1,25(OH)2D3 synthesis, which then inhibits PTH synthesis, thus completing an endocrinological feedback loop.

Animals↗

Variations in DNA methylation during mouse cell differentiation in vivo and in vitro.

Mouse teratocarcinoma cells induced to differentiate in vitro undergo a massive (30%) demethylation of DNA. A similar undermethylation is also observed in the mouse extraembryonic membranes, the yolk sac and placenta. In both cases, the decrease in methyl moieties occurs at a large number of CpG sites spread out over the entire genome, as indicated by a restriction enzyme analysis of several mouse genes including dhfr, beta-major globin, and the H-2K gene family. In contrast to this, the embryo itself appears to undergo methylation de novo during early stages of embryogenesis. Thus, as opposed to somatic cells, events during early mouse development are associated with wide variations in the level of DNA methylation. Although these changes in DNA methylation seem to be an integral part of the differentiation process, its relation to specific gene expression is still unclear.

Animals↗

Topographical distribution of 5-methylcytosine in animal and plant DNA.

The topographical distribution of 5-methylcytosine on animal and plant cell DNA has been examined with methyl-sensitive restriction enzymes and gel electrophoresis analysis. These DNAs digested with the enzyme HpaII have a partially bimodal size distribution, indicating the existence of clusters of methylated and unmethylated CCGG sites in the DNA. By analyzing the methylation state of all CG moieties in restricted DNA fractions, it was possible to show that these genomes are, in general, arranged as clusters of relatively highly methylated and undermethylated regions. Plant DNA also contains 5-methylcytosine in the prototype sequence C-X-G. Restriction of this DNA with EcoRII revealed that these methyl groups are also distributed in clusters, suggesting that this is a general phenomenon. The undermethylated areas may correspond to the active fraction of the genome.

5-Methylcytosine↗

Active gene sequences are undermethylated.

The degree of methylation of active regions of the chromosome has been investigated by several techniques. DNase I (deoxyribonuclease I, EC 3.1.21.1) was used to introduce nicks in the active regions of the nucleus and thereby specifically label these areas. By using the methylation-specific restriction enzymes Hpa II and Hha I it could be shown that active genes are more sensitive to these probes than are other parts of the genome. In order to measure the amount of methylation at all CpG residues, DNA was nick-translated in the presence of [alpha-32P]dGTP as the sole nucleotide source and the methylated cytosine was detected by the standard nearest-neighbor analysis. Using this assay, we found that about 70% of all CpG sequences in animal cell DNA are methylated. In active nuclear regions that are sensitive to DNase I, only 30-40% of the CpG residues are methylated. This method was also employed to study the gene sequences that are complementary to cellular RNA. By this criterion expressed gene sequences are only 20-30% methylated. These data suggest that undermethylation is a general phenomenon in all actively transcribed genes.

Animals↗

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of PTH gene expression by vitamin D, calcium and phosphate.

1,25(OH)(2)D(3) the biologically active metabolite of vitamin D is synthesized in the renal proximal tubules from the hepatic metabolite 25 (OH)D. Lack of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) is relevant to the pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism, and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) itself is used effectively in the management of renal failure patients to prevent secondary hyperparathyroidism. The scientific basis of this therapy is the finding that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) potently decreases PTH gene transcription both in vitro and in vivo.

Animals↗