G α11 mutation in mice causes hypocalcemia rectifiable by calcilytic therapy

JCI Insight. 2017 Feb 9;2(3):e91103. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.91103.

Abstract

Heterozygous germline gain-of-function mutations of G-protein subunit α11 (Gα11), a signaling partner for the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), result in autosomal dominant hypocalcemia type 2 (ADH2). ADH2 may cause symptomatic hypocalcemia with low circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations. Effective therapies for ADH2 are currently not available, and a mouse model for ADH2 would help in assessment of potential therapies. We hypothesized that a previously reported dark skin mouse mutant (Dsk7) - which has a germline hypermorphic Gα11 mutation, Ile62Val - may be a model for ADH2 and allow evaluation of calcilytics, which are CaSR negative allosteric modulators, as a targeted therapy for this disorder. Mutant Dsk7/+ and Dsk7/Dsk7 mice were shown to have hypocalcemia and reduced plasma PTH concentrations, similar to ADH2 patients. In vitro studies showed the mutant Val62 Gα11 to upregulate CaSR-mediated intracellular calcium and MAPK signaling, consistent with a gain of function. Treatment with NPS-2143, a calcilytic compound, normalized these signaling responses. In vivo, NPS-2143 induced a rapid and marked rise in plasma PTH and calcium concentrations in Dsk7/Dsk7 and Dsk7/+ mice, which became normocalcemic. Thus, these studies have established Dsk7 mice, which harbor a germline gain-of-function Gα11 mutation, as a model for ADH2 and have demonstrated calcilytics as a potential targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / blood
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits / genetics*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hypercalciuria / drug therapy*
  • Hypercalciuria / genetics
  • Hypercalciuria / metabolism
  • Hypocalcemia / drug therapy*
  • Hypocalcemia / genetics
  • Hypocalcemia / metabolism
  • Hypoparathyroidism / congenital*
  • Hypoparathyroidism / drug therapy
  • Hypoparathyroidism / genetics
  • Hypoparathyroidism / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mutation*
  • Naphthalenes / administration & dosage*
  • Naphthalenes / pharmacology
  • Parathyroid Hormone / blood
  • Receptors, Calcium-Sensing
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*

Substances

  • CASR protein, mouse
  • GNA11 protein, mouse
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits
  • N-(2-hydroxy-3-(2-cyano-3-chlorophenoxy)propyl)-1,1-dimethyl-2-(2-nephthyl)ethylamine
  • Naphthalenes
  • Parathyroid Hormone
  • Receptors, Calcium-Sensing
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Calcium

Supplementary concepts

  • Hypercalciuric Hypocalcemia, Familial