Related Experiment Videos

HCaRG, a novel calcium-regulated gene coding for a nuclear protein, is potentially involved in the regulation of cell

N Solban1, H P Jia, S Richard

  • 1Centre de recherche, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H2W 1T8, Canada.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|August 5, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified a novel gene, hypertension-related, calcium-regulated gene (HCaRG), linked to calcium regulation in hypertensive rats. This gene, found in human tissues, appears to control cell proliferation and is downregulated in cancerous cells.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Spontaneously hypertensive rats exhibit a negative calcium balance, suggesting a genetic basis for calcium dysregulation.
  • The parathyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating serum-ionized calcium levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize novel genes involved in calcium regulation and hypertension.
  • To investigate the function and regulation of the newly discovered HCaRG gene.

Main Methods:

  • Construction of a cDNA library from spontaneously hypertensive rat parathyroid glands.
  • Gene cloning, sequencing, and homology analysis with human counterparts.
  • Analysis of HCaRG mRNA expression in various tissues, developmental stages, and cell lines.
  • Investigation of HCaRG's role in cell proliferation using transfected HEK293 cells.

Main Results:

  • A novel gene, HCaRG, was identified and characterized, showing higher basal mRNA levels in hypertensive rats and negative regulation by extracellular calcium.
  • HCaRG encodes a nuclear protein with structural motifs suggesting interaction with nuclear receptors and calcium binding.
  • HCaRG exhibits significant homology between rats and humans, with specific tissue distribution and decreased expression in tumors.
  • HCaRG expression is altered during ischemia-reperfusion injury and its presence in HEK293 cells significantly reduces cell proliferation.

Conclusions:

  • HCaRG is a novel calcium-regulated gene potentially involved in hypertension and cell proliferation control.
  • The findings suggest HCaRG as a potential therapeutic target for hypertension and cancer.

Related Concept Videos

Calmodulin-dependent Signaling01:16

Calmodulin-dependent Signaling

Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium-binding protein in eukaryotes that controls various calcium-regulated cellular processes. It has four calcium-binding sites that bind calcium to form the calcium-calmodulin ( Ca2+-CaM) complex. GPCR stimulation increases the calcium levels in the cells that bind to CaM and induces a conformational change.
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
The Ras Gene02:38

The Ras Gene

The Ras-gene-encoded proteins are regulators of signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, or cell survival. The Ras-gene family in humans constitutes three primary members—the HRas, NRas, and KRas. These genes code for four functionally distinct yet closely related proteins—the HRas, NRas, KRas4A, and KRas4B. The involvement of mutant Ras genes in human cancer was first discovered in 1982 and is among the most common causes of human tumorigenesis.
Ras is a superfamily...
Cell Specific Gene Expression01:58

Cell Specific Gene Expression

Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
Cell Specific Gene Expression01:58

Cell Specific Gene Expression

Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting01:45

Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting

Nuclear protein sorting regulates nucleus composition and gene expression, crucial for determining the fate of a eukaryotic cell. Hence, the entry and exit of molecules across the nuclear envelope is a tightly controlled process. Nuclear protein sorting can be inhibited by one of the following ways: 1) masking cargo signal sequences, 2) modifying the nuclear receptor's affinity for cargo, 3) controlling the nuclear pore size, 4) retaining the cargo during its transit to the cytosol or the...
Cadherins in Tissue Organization01:19

Cadherins in Tissue Organization

The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...