Molecular Mechanism for Transcriptional Regulation of the Parathyroid Hormone Gene by Epiprofin

The study explores the role of Epiprofin (Epfn) in regulating the parathyroid hormone (PTH) gene, revealing that Epfn acts as a suppressor of PTH transcription, particularly in response to calcium levels. Epfn knockout mice exhibited symptoms of hyperparathyroidism, such as elevated PTH levels and bone abnormalities, indicating that Epfn negatively regulates PTH expression. In vitro experiments showed that higher calcium levels increased Epfn expression while decreasing PTH expression. The study also found that Epfn suppresses NF-y-induced PTH gene up-regulation and interacts with Sp1 DNA elements, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for hyperparathyroidism, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease. The research involved 23 human clinical samples and highlighted Epfn's role in calcium homeostasis and its potential for novel treatment strategies with fewer side effects.