Adenine nucleotides mobilize cellular Ca2+ and inhibit parathyroid hormone secretion

E F Nemeth1, L M Kosz

  • 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106.

Insights

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) activates calcium-mobilizing receptors on bovine parathyroid cells, influencing intracellular calcium levels and inhibiting parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. This suggests extracellular calcium regulates PTH secretion through similar receptors.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion is crucial for calcium homeostasis.
  • The role of specific receptors in regulating PTH secretion is not fully understood.
  • Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) is a key signaling molecule in cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify Ca2+-mobilizing receptors on bovine parathyroid cells.
  • To investigate the effect of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and related nucleotides on intracellular calcium and PTH secretion.
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which extracellular calcium regulates PTH secretion.

Main Methods:

  • Dissociated and purified bovine parathyroid cells were loaded with fura-2 to measure intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i).
  • Various agents were screened for their ability to mobilize Ca2+.
  • The effects of ATP and related nucleotides on [Ca2+]i and PTH secretion were assessed under different extracellular conditions.
  • Specific inhibitors and chelators were used to probe the signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • ATP and certain other nucleotides rapidly increased [Ca2+]i in parathyroid cells.
  • These calcium transients were independent of extracellular calcium and mitochondrial function but sensitive to ionomycin and fluoride.
  • Increased extracellular Ca2+, Mg2+, or Sr2+ inhibited ATP-evoked calcium transients, while ATP inhibited cation-evoked calcium increases.
  • ATP gamma S inhibited PTH secretion, an effect not blocked by intracellular calcium chelation, indicating a receptor-mediated mechanism.
  • Nucleotides without effect on [Ca2+]i did not inhibit PTH secretion.

Conclusions:

  • Bovine parathyroid cells possess Ca2+-mobilizing receptors activated by ATP.
  • Activation of these receptors by ATP gamma S is sufficient to inhibit PTH secretion.
  • Extracellular calcium likely regulates PTH secretion by interacting with Ca2+-mobilizing receptors, similar to ATP.
  • These findings provide insights into the complex regulation of PTH secretion and calcium homeostasis.

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