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<jats:p>The extracellular calcium (Ca<jats:sup>2+</jats:sup><jats:sub>o</jats:sub>)-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a family C G protein-coupled receptor, which detects alterations in Ca<jats:sup>2+</jats:sup><jats:sub>o</jats:sub> concentrations and modulates parathyroid hormone secretion and urinary calcium excretion. The central role of the CaSR in Ca<jats:sup>2+</jats:sup><jats:sub>o</jats:sub> homeostasis has been highlighted by the identification of mutations affecting the <jats:italic>CASR</jats:italic> gene on chromosome 3q21.1. Loss-of-function <jats:italic>CASR</jats:italic> mutations cause familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia (FHH), whereas gain-of-function mutations lead to autosomal dominant hypocalcaemia (ADH). However, <jats:italic>CASR</jats:italic> mutations are only detected in ≤70% of FHH and ADH cases, referred to as FHH type 1 and ADH type 1, respectively, and studies in other FHH and ADH kindreds have revealed these disorders to be genetically heterogeneous. Thus, loss- and gain-of-function mutations of the <jats:italic>GNA11</jats:italic> gene on chromosome 19p13.3, which encodes the G-protein α-11 (Gα<jats:sub>11</jats:sub>) subunit, lead to FHH type 2 and ADH type 2, respectively; whilst loss-of-function mutations of <jats:italic>AP2S1</jats:italic> on chromosome 19q13.3, which encodes the adaptor-related protein complex 2 sigma (AP2σ) subunit, cause FHH type 3. These studies have demonstrated Gα<jats:sub>11</jats:sub> to be a key mediator of downstream CaSR signal transduction, and also revealed a role for AP2σ, which is involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis, in CaSR signalling and trafficking. Moreover, FHH type 3 has been demonstrated to represent a more severe FHH variant that may lead to symptomatic hypercalcaemia, low bone mineral density and cognitive dysfunction. In addition, calcimimetic and calcilytic drugs, which are positive and negative CaSR allosteric modulators, respectively, have been shown to be of potential benefit for these FHH and ADH disorders.</jats:p>

Original publication

DOI

10.1530/jme-16-0124

Type

Journal article

Journal

Journal of Molecular Endocrinology

Publisher

Bioscientifica

Publication Date

10/2016

Volume

57

Pages

R127 - R142