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The murine stanniocalcin 2 gene is a negative regulator of postnatal growth

Andy C-M Chang1, Jeff Hook, Frances A Lemckert

  • 1Cancer Research Unit, The Children's Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales 2145, Australia.

Endocrinology
|February 9, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Mammalian stanniocalcin 2 (STC2) appears to regulate postnatal growth. Deleting STC2 in mice resulted in larger size and faster growth, suggesting STC2 acts as a growth inhibitor.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Stanniocalcin (STC) was initially identified in fish as a hormone regulating calcium. Mammals possess two related proteins, STC1 and STC2, whose functions remain largely unknown.
  • Unlike fish STC, mammalian STC1 and STC2 are expressed widely across tissues, not from a specific endocrine gland, and their physiological roles are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the physiological roles of mammalian stanniocalcin 1 (STC1) and stanniocalcin 2 (STC2).
  • To determine if STC2 compensates for the absence of STC1, and to elucidate the function of STC2 in postnatal growth and mineral homeostasis.

Main Methods:

  • Generation and analysis of Stc1-null and Stc2-null mice, including double knockout (Stc1(-/-) Stc2(-/-)) models.
  • Assessment of fertility, fecundity, weight gain, serum calcium, and phosphate levels in knockout mice.
  • Evaluation of growth rates and potential mediation through the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor I (GH/IGF-I) axis.

Main Results:

  • Stc1(-/-) Stc2(-/-) mice exhibited normal fertility, fecundity, and mineral homeostasis, with no detected decrease compared to controls.
  • Mice lacking STC2 (both Stc2(-/-) and Stc1(-/-) Stc2(-/-)) displayed significantly increased body size and accelerated growth rates from 4 weeks onward.
  • The observed growth phenotype in STC2-deficient mice was independent of the GH/IGF-I axis.

Conclusions:

  • Mammalian STC1 and STC2 do not appear to play a significant role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis.
  • STC2 functions as a negative regulator of postnatal growth in mammals.
  • Further research is warranted to fully understand the broader functions of STC1 and STC2.

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