Hormonal regulation of regucalcin gene expression: involvement in cell metabolism

Abstract

Regucalcin (RGN/SMP30) and its gene (rgn) are identified in over 15 species consisting of regucalcin family, and its gene is localized on X chromosome. Regucalcin has been shown to play a multifunctional role in many tissues and cell types. Hormonal regulations of regucalcin gene expression are mediated through various transcription factors (including AP-1, NF1-A1, RGPR-p117 and other), which are involved in phosphorylation and dephosphorylation by intracellular signaling factors. Regucalcin mRNA expression has been shown to be regulated by hormonal factors (including calcium, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, insulin, tumor necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-β, estrogen, testosterone, aldosterone, dexamethasone and other) in various tissues and many cell types. Regucalcin mRNA expression has also been shown to suppress with pathophysiological states that are related to hormonal diseases. Regucalcin may be a key molecule that is involved in hormonal effect and its related metabolic disease.