Effect of calcium ions on human calcitonin. Possible implications for bone resorption by osteoclasts. 2016

Daniela Meleleo, and Vittorio Picciarelli
Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", via E. Orabona 4, Bari, 70126, Italy. danielaaddolorata.meleleo@uniba.it.

Calcium ions (Ca(2+)) are indispensable for life and are involved in important physiological actions, which makes maintaining a constant level of blood Ca(2+) essential. Ca(2+) is mainly stored in bones which serve as a reservoir and its homeostasis is modulated by various hormones. Human calcitonin (hCt) is a small peptide hormone that exerts its physiological effect on Ca(2+) metabolism by means of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption inhibition. Most of these actions are mediated through peptide/receptor interaction that acts via a second messenger. However, in vitro studies have shown that hCt can interact with membrane lipids to form ion channels in membrane models. This ability is due to the peptide's secondary structure and aggregation state, that can be modulated by different molecules. In our study, we evaluated the effect of Ca(2+), at different concentrations, both on the hCt ion channel incorporated into a planar lipid membrane made up of phosphatidylcholine containing 15% phosphatidylglycerol and on the secondary structure of hCt in an aqueous environment. Ca(2+) is able to interact with the hCt peptide by acting on the channel incorporated into the membrane as well as on the peptide in solution, both by increasing hCt channel frequency and in solution promoting α-helix formation, that counteracts the fibrillating process. These experimental observations, suggesting that hCt senses Ca(2+) concentration variations, strengthen the hypothesis that channel formation represents an extra source of Ca(2+) entry into osteoclasts in addition to the well-known interaction of the monomer with the specific receptor.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007477 Ions An atom or group of atoms that have a positive or negative electric charge due to a gain (negative charge) or loss (positive charge) of one or more electrons. Atoms with a positive charge are known as CATIONS; those with a negative charge are ANIONS.
D010010 Osteoclasts A large multinuclear cell associated with the BONE RESORPTION. An odontoclast, also called cementoclast, is cytomorphologically the same as an osteoclast and is involved in CEMENTUM resorption. Odontoclasts,Cementoclast,Cementoclasts,Odontoclast,Osteoclast
D010455 Peptides Members of the class of compounds composed of AMINO ACIDS joined together by peptide bonds between adjacent amino acids into linear, branched or cyclical structures. OLIGOPEPTIDES are composed of approximately 2-12 amino acids. Polypeptides are composed of approximately 13 or more amino acids. PROTEINS are considered to be larger versions of peptides that can form into complex structures such as ENZYMES and RECEPTORS. Peptide,Polypeptide,Polypeptides
D001862 Bone Resorption Bone loss due to osteoclastic activity. Bone Loss, Osteoclastic,Osteoclastic Bone Loss,Bone Losses, Osteoclastic,Bone Resorptions,Loss, Osteoclastic Bone,Losses, Osteoclastic Bone,Osteoclastic Bone Losses,Resorption, Bone,Resorptions, Bone
D002116 Calcitonin A peptide hormone that lowers calcium concentration in the blood. In humans, it is released by thyroid cells and acts to decrease the formation and absorptive activity of osteoclasts. Its role in regulating plasma calcium is much greater in children and in certain diseases than in normal adults. Thyrocalcitonin,Calcitonin(1-32),Calcitrin,Ciba 47175-BA,Eel Calcitonin,Calcitonin, Eel,Ciba 47175 BA,Ciba 47175BA
D002118 Calcium A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes. Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002462 Cell Membrane The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D017433 Protein Structure, Secondary The level of protein structure in which regular hydrogen-bond interactions within contiguous stretches of polypeptide chain give rise to ALPHA-HELICES; BETA-STRANDS (which align to form BETA-SHEETS), or other types of coils. This is the first folding level of protein conformation. Secondary Protein Structure,Protein Structures, Secondary,Secondary Protein Structures,Structure, Secondary Protein,Structures, Secondary Protein

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