Gcm2 regulates the maintenance of parathyroid cells in adult mice

PLoS One. 2019 Jan 24;14(1):e0210662. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210662. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Glial cells missing homolog 2 (GCM2), a zinc finger-type transcription factor, is essential for the development of parathyroid glands. It is considered to be a master regulator because the glands do not form when Gcm2 is deficient. Remarkably, Gcm2 expression is maintained throughout the fetal stage and after birth. Considering the Gcm2 function in embryonic stages, it is predicted that Gcm2 maintains parathyroid cell differentiation and survival in adults. However, there is a lack of research regarding the function of Gcm2 in adulthood. Therefore, we analyzed Gcm2 function in adult tamoxifen-inducible Gcm2 conditional knockout mice. One month after tamoxifen injection, Gcm2-knockout mice showed no significant difference in serum calcium, phosphate, and PTH levels and in the expressions of calcium-sensing receptor (Casr) and parathyroid hormone (Pth), whereas Ki-67 positive cells were decreased and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) positive cell number did not change, as compared with those of controls. Seven months after tamoxifen injection, Gcm2-knockout mice showed shrinkage of the parathyroid glands and fewer parathyroid cells. A significant decrease was noted in Casr- and Pth-expressing cells and serum PTH and Ca levels, whereas serum phosphate levels increased, as compared with those of controls. All our results concluded that a reduction of Gcm2 expression leads to a reduction of parathyroid cell proliferation, an increase in cell death, and an attenuation of parathyroid function. Therefore, we indicate that Gcm2 plays a prominent role in adult parathyroid cell proliferation and maintenance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Genotyping Techniques
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Parathyroid Glands / cytology*
  • Parathyroid Glands / drug effects
  • Parathyroid Glands / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Gcm2 protein, mouse
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Transcription Factors

Grants and funding

Taku Yamada received an award from The Kidney Foundation, Japan (JKFB15-34 T.Y.), URL: http://www.jinzouzaidan.or.jp/, and Masataka Okabe received grant JP21370098 M.O. from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS KAKENHI). The sponsors played no role in this study. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.