Dr. Long Jun Dai

Ritchie G, Kerstan D, Dai LJ, Kang HS, Canaff L, Hendy GN, and Quamme GA:  1,25(OH)₂D₃ stimulates Mg²⁺ uptake into MDCT cells: modulation by extracellular Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. American Journal of Physiology 280:F868-F878, 2001.

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Abstract The distal convoluted tubule plays a significant role in renal magnesium conservation. Although the cells of the distal convoluted tubule possess the vitamin D receptor, little is known about the effects of 1a,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D3] on magnesium transport. In this study, we examined the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on distal cellular magnesium uptake and the modulation of this response by extracellular Ca21 and Mg21 in an immortalized mouse distal convoluted tubule (MDCT) cell line. MDCTcells possess the divalent cation-sensing receptor (CaSR) that responds to elevation of extracellular Ca21 and Mg21 concentrations to diminish peptide hormone-stimulated Mg21 uptake. Mg21 uptake rates were determined by microfluorescence in Mg21-depleted MDCT cells. Treatment of MDCT cells with 1,25(OH)2D3 for 16–24 h stimulated basal Mg21 uptake in a concentration-dependent manner from basal levels of 164 6 5 to 210611 nM/s, representing a 2863% change. Pretreatment with actinomycin D or cycloheximide abolished 1,25(OH)2D3- stimulated.Mg21 uptake (154 6 18 nM/s), suggesting that 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulates Mg21 uptake through gene activation and protein synthesis. Elevation of extracellular Ca21 inhibited 1,25(OH)2D3-stimulated Mg21 uptake (143 6 5 nM/s). Preincubation of the cells with an antibody to the CaSR prevented the inhibition by elevated extracellular Ca21 of 1,25(OH)2D3-stimulated Mg21 uptake (202 6 8 nM/s). Treatment with an antisense CaSR mRNA oligodeoxynucleotide also abolished the effects of extracellular Ca21 on 1,25(OH)2D3-responsive Mg21 entry. This showed that elevated extracellular calcium modulates 1,25(OH)2D-mediated responses through the CaSR. In summary, 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulated Mg21 uptake in MDCT cells, and this is dependent on de novo protein synthesis. Elevation of extracellular Ca21, acting via the CaSR, inhibited 1,25(OH)2D3-stimulated Mg21 entry. These data indicate that 1,25(OH)2D3 has important effects on the control of magnesium entry in MDCT cells and these responses can be modulated by extracellular divalent cations.

Bapty BW, Dai LJ, Ritchie G, Jirik F, Canaff L, Hendy GN, and Quamme GA: Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ sensing inhibits hormone-stimulated Mg²⁺ uptake in mouse distal convoluted tubule cells. American Journal of Physiology 275:F353-F360, 1998.

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Abstract The distal convoluted tubule plays a significant role in renal magnesium conservation. An immortalized mouse distal convoluted tubule (MDCT) cell line has been extensively used to study the cellular mechanisms of magnesium transport in this nephron segment. MDCT cells possess an extracellular polyvalent cation-sensing mechanism responsive to Mg21, Ca21, and neomycin. The present studies determined the effect of Mg21/ Ca21 sensing on hormone-mediated cAMP formation and Mg21 uptake in MDCT cells. MDCT cells were Mg21 depleted by culturing in Mg21-free media for 16 h, and Mg21 uptake was measured by microfluorescence after placing the depleted cells in 1.5 mM MgCl2. The mean rate of Mg21 uptake was 164 6 5 nM/s in control MDCT cells. Activation of Mg21/Ca21 sensing with neomycin did not affect basal Mg21 uptake (155 6 5 nM/s). We have previously reported that treatment of MDCT cells with either glucagon or arginine vasopressin (AVP) stimulated Mg21 entry. In the present studies, the addition of extracellular Mg21 or Ca21 inhibited glucagon- and AVP-stimulated cAMP formation and Mg21 uptake in concentration-dependent manner with half-maximal concentrations of ,1.5 and 3.0 mM, respectively. Exogenous cAMP or forskolin stimulated Mg21 uptake in the presence of Mg21/Ca21 sensing activation.We infer from these studies that Mg21/Ca21-sensing mechanisms located in the distal convoluted tubule may play a role in control of distal magnesium absorption.