PTH Hypersecretion Triggered by a GABA_B1 and Ca²⁺-sensing Receptor Heterocomplex in Hyperparathyroidism

Abstract

Molecular mechanisms mediating tonic secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in response to hypocalcemia and hyperparathyroidism (HPT) are unclear. Here we demonstrate increased heterocomplex formation between the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and metabotropic GABA_B1 receptor (GABA_B1R) in hyperplastic parathyroid glands (PTGs) of patients with primary and secondary HPT. Targeted ablation of GABA_B1R or glutamic acid decarboxylase 1 and 2 in PTGs produces hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism and prevents PTH hypersecretion in PTGs cultured from mouse models of hereditary HPT and dietary calcium-deficiency. Co-binding of CaSR/GABA_B1R complex by baclofen and high extracellular calcium blocks the coupling of heterotrimeric G-proteins to homomeric CaSRs in cultured cells and promotes PTH secretion in cultured mouse PTGs. These results combined with the ability of PTG to synthesize GABA support a critical autocrine action of GABA/GABA_B1R in mediating tonic PTH secretion of PTGs and ascribe aberrant activities of CaSR/GABA_B1R heteromer to HPT.

Land vertebrates develop a unique regulatory mechanism to maintain constant serum [Ca²⁺] against both hypocalcemic and hypercalcemic challenges to support vital physiologic functions. This mechanism begins with PTGs responding to small decreases in serum [Ca²⁺] by rapidly increasing PTH secretion, which in turn stimulates systemic calciotropic activities in the kidney, gut, and bone to raise serum [Ca²⁺]¹. Once restored to normal blood levels, continuous increases in extracellular [Ca²⁺] ([Ca²⁺]_e) suppress PTH secretion, thereby preventing the development of hyperparathyroidism (HPT) and hypercalcemia, through activation of homomeric CaSRs, a member of family C G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR-C) that stimulates Gi- and Gq/G₁₁-mediated signaling cascades in parathyroid cells (PTCs)². Defects in the latter CaSR-mediated negative feedback pathways cause HPT, a prevalent human disorder characterized by PTH hypersecretion that inappropriately raises serum Ca²⁺ levels and causes multiorgan complications in bone, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, heart, and central nervous system^3,4.

Primary HPT (1° HPT) is a common endocrinopathy occurring in up to 1 in 300 postmenopausal women⁴. Most cases are due to single adenomas in PTGs that can be cured by surgical removal of glands (i.e., parathyroidectomy). Many patients with multigland disease or genetic forms of HPT, however, have recurrent hypercalcemia and require long-term follow-up and multiple surgeries to control the disease. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) develop secondary HPT (2°HPT), often with severe PTH excess from 4-gland hyperplasia. This form of 2° HPT causes severe mineral disturbances, disabling bone disease, and ectopic calcifications, contributing to the high morbidity and mortality rates of CKD^5,6. Medical therapies (such as active vitamin D analogs, calcimimetics, phosphate binders) are used to prevent progression of 2° HPT, but the most severe cases, which are refractory to medical therapies, often require subtotal or total parathyroidectomy. Among medical therapies, vitamin D analogs are effective in early 2° HPT, but less so as the disease advances with reduced vitamin D receptor expression in the PTG^7–10 and the side-effects of drug therapy (hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia) are intolerable for patients. Calcimimetics, allosteric agonists of the CaSR, potentiate homomeric CaSR activation to suppress PTH secretion in patients with 2° HPT. They are, however, limited by gastrointestinal toxicity^11,12 and hypocalcemia. Thus, better mechanistically directed therapies are sorely needed in CKD.

Reduced CaSR expression is also a hallmark in parathyroid adenomas commonly found in patients with 1°HPT^13–15. Although reduced activities of homomeric CaSR are ascribed to PTH hypersecretion in PTCs and to PTH excess in circulation, molecular mechanisms mediating tonic hypersecretion of PTH in lieu of reduced CaSR expression or chronic dietary Ca²⁺ deficiency have never been established. Insights into the latter mechanisms are required for future designs of more effective drug management strategies for HPT. Given that GPCR-C members function exclusively in multimeric forms^16–21 and that the GABA_B1R, another member of GPCR-C, can physically interact with the CaSR in neurons²² and chondrocytes²³ to mediate trafficking and surface expression of CaSR as well as CaSR-dependent signaling and cellular functions, we investigated whether PTGs express GABA_B1Rs and other GPCR-C members to alter CaSR signaling and secretory functions of the glands. We further investigated whether PTCs express the rate-limiting enzymes, GAD1/2, to synthesize GABA as an autocrine factor underlying tonic PTH secretion in physiology and diseases.

RESULTS

Expression of GABA_B1R and GAD1/2 and Synthesis of GABA in PTGs

As the CaSR also interacts with other GPCR-C members, including GABA_B2R²², and metabotropic glutamate receptors 1 and 5²⁴, we performed a general survey for expression of GPCR-C members in normal mouse PTGs to identify potential players that can regulate CaSR signaling by heteromerization. By RNA assessment, we found that the GABA_B1R is the only GPCR-C member remarkably coexpressed with the CaSR in the glands (Fig. 1a, top panel and Supplementary Fig. 1), however, at a lower level (≈20%) compared to CaSR expression. Interestingly, the expression of GABA_B2R, a close dimeric partner of GABA_B1R in the CNS^19,25, was undetectable (Fig. 1a). Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting confirmed the expression of core (≈100 kD) and glycosylated (≈130 and 150 kD) GABA_B1R proteins in mouse PTGs (Fig. 1b, 1d-upper panel, and Extended Data Fig. 1a,1b).

Figure 1. Expression of GABA_B1R and GAD1/2 and GABA synthesis in PTGs.

(a) qPCR analyses showed RNA expression of CaSR, GABA_B1R, GAD1 and GAD2, but not GABA_B2R in mouse PTGs, Mean ± s.e.m. of n = 5 batches of PTGs from 60 mice. (b–d) Representative immunohistochemistry (b, c) and immunoblotting (d) analyses that show the expression of ≈100 kD core and ≈130 and ≈150 kD glycosylated GABA_B1R as well as the expression of 67 kD GAD1 and 65 kD GAD2 in mouse PTGs and hippocampi (Hipp). n = 5 batches of PTGs from 50 mice and 10 mouse brains. Brown DAB signals in panel b indicates GABA_B1R immunoreactivity in mouse PTCs counterstained with blue hematoxylin. Green florescent FITC signals in panel c indicate GAD1/2 immunoreactivity in mouse PTCs counterstained with blue DAPI nuclear dye. (e) Representative immunohistochemical detection of GABA in mouse and human PTGs. n = 12 PTGs from 8 mice and 6 human PTGs. (f) GABA levels in human PTG and mouse brain were quantified by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM); Mean ± s.e.m. of n = 3 human PTGs and 3 mouse brains. The p-value was determined by 2-tails Student t-test. (g) Representative MRM chromatogram of d₅-GABA (m/z 109.02 → 92.05) synthesis in human PTG extracts incubated with cofactor vitamin B6 in the presence (purple tracing) or absence (green tracing) of d₅-glutamate. n = 3 independent assays from 3 human PTG lysates.

In the CNS, GAD 1 and 2 (GAD1/2) convert glutamic acids to GABA, which in turn binds and activates GABA_B1R/GABA_B2R heteromers^19,25. A series of molecular biology approaches (qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblotting) revealed the expression of GAD1 (67-kD) and GAD2 (65-kD) at the RNA (Fig. 1a, bottom panel) and protein (Fig. 1c, 1d-bottom panel, and Extended Data Fig. 2a) levels, as well as the presence of their end product GABA in mouse PTGs and/or human parathyroid adenomas (Fig. 1e and Extended Data Fig. 2c). While expression patterns of GABA_B1R and GAD1/2 proteins in PTGs are comparable to those in mouse hippocampi (Fig. 1d, mHIPP), the amount of endogenous GABA in cryopreserved human PTG (10.63 ± 1.88 ng per gram) is well below the level that found in mouse brain (198.29 ± 22.1 μg per gram) (Fig. 1f and Supplementary Fig. 2), thus implying an autocrine rather than endocrine action of GABA in PTGs. To further confirm the ability of GAD1/2 to synthesize GABA in PTGs, we incubated human PTG extracts with deuterated d₅-glutamate, the precursor of GABA, and measured the resulting d₅-GABA. Using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) protocol illustrated in the Supplementary Figure 3, we detected d₅-GABA in the reactions by matching its MS fragmentation and retention time, and this d₅-GABA signal was absent in reactions without d5-glutamate (Fig. 1g), thus demonstrating the ability of parathyroid GADs to synthesize GABA.

Impact of Parathyroid GABA_B1R and GAD1/2 on PTH Secretion

To define the actions of GABA_B1R, GABA, and GAD1/2 in PTGs, we studied the impact of GABA_B1R agonists, baclofen (Bac) and GABA, and antagonist CGP54626 (CGP), on the [Ca²⁺]_e-mediated secretory responses in PTGs freshly isolated from male wild-type C57/B6 (B6:Wt) mice or from mice lacking expression of GABA_B1R (hereafter referred to as GABA_B1R-KO or ^PTGGABA_B1R^−/− mice) or GAD1/2 (Gad1/2-DKO) specifically in the glands. We first confirmed the ability of the PTH-Cre driver²⁶ to excise the Gabbr1 genes specifically in PTCs of ^PTGGABA_B1R^−/− mice by PCR analyses of their genomic DNA (Supplementary Fig. 4) and to abrogate GABA_B1R protein expression by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry (Extended Data Fig. 1a and 1b, respectively). The ability of the PTH-Cre to ablate GAD1/2 was also confirmed by the absence of GAD1/2 (Extended Data Fig. 2a) and GABA (Extended Data Fig. 2b) by immunoreactivity in PTGs isolated from the Gad1/2-DKO mice.

When treated with vehicle (0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO) alone, PTGs from wild-type C57/BL6 (B6:Wt) mice secreted PTH at a mean maximal rate (PTH-Max) of ≈ 200 pg/hr/gland at [Ca²⁺]_e of ≈0.75 mM (Fig. 2a, top panel, red circle) and displayed a mean Ca²⁺ set-point (defined as the [Ca²⁺]_e at which there was 50% suppression of the Ca²⁺-suppressible PTH secretion) of 1.31 ± 0.05 mM as better shown in a concentration-effect curve normalized to the basal activity at 0.5 mM Ca²⁺ (Fig. 2a, bottom panel, red circle). Adding a saturating concentration of GABA (300 μM) significantly (p<0.01) shifted the Ca²⁺ set-point to 1.63 ± 0.08 mM (Fig. 2a, bottom panel, green triangle) without a significant change in PTH-Max (Fig. 2a, top panel, green triangle). In contrast, baclofen (Bac), a selective GABA_B1R agonist, markedly (p=0.01) enhanced PTH-Max to ≈580 pg/hr/gland (Fig. 2a, top panel, blue square) in the lower range of [Ca²⁺]_e without significantly changing the Ca²⁺ set-point (Fig. 2a, bottom panel, blue square). These results indicate the ability of GABA_B1R agonists to stimulate acute PTH secretion, particularly in the lower range of [Ca²⁺]_e encountered in hypocalcemic states. As homomeric CaSRs are anticipated to be inactive at low [Ca²⁺]_e, our data reveals an additional GABA_B1R-mediated mechanism, other than the simple inactivation of homomeric CaSR, in promoting tonic PTH secretion.

Figure 2. Impact of GABA_B1R and GAD1/2 on PTH Secretion and Mineral and Skeletal Homeostasis.

(a,b) PTGs (2 or 4 per group) of 4-week-old C57/B6 wild-type (B6:Wt) mice were sequentially incubated with increasing [Ca²⁺]_e from 0.5 to 3.0 mM (1 hr per concentration) in the presence of vehicle (Veh, 0.1% DMSO, red circle), (a) 300 μM GABA_B1R agonist [GABA: green triangle or Baclofen (Bac): blue square], or (b) 10 μm GABA_B1R antagonist, CGP54626 (CGP) (green triangle). Top panels show changes in the rate of PTH secretion on a per-gland and per-hour basis with raising [Ca²⁺]_e to compare the maximal PTH secretion rate (PTH-Max). Bottom panels show normalized PTH secretion rate to the basal rate at 0.5 mM Ca²⁺ to better assess changes in the Ca²⁺-set-point ([Ca²⁺]_e needed to suppress 50% of [Ca²⁺]_e-suppressible PTH secretion). Color dotted vertical lines indicate Ca²⁺ set-points for the corresponding treatments. Mean ± s.e.m. of n = 4 groups of PTGs from 8 mice for each treatment in panel a and 5 (Veh) or 6 (CGP) pairs of PTGs from 5 or 6 mice for panel b; *P < 0.05; ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001vs Vehicle by two-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test using Prism 8 statistics software. (c) PTH secretory properties in PTGs (2 per group) from 3-month-old ^PTGGABA_B1R^−/− (KO) and control (Cont) littermates were assessed in the presence of vehicle (Veh, 0.1% DMSO, Cont: red circle, KO: red triangle) or baclofen (300 μM, Cont: blue square, KO: green triangle). Mean ± s.e.m., of n = 4–8 pairs of PTGs from 4–8 mice for each genotype and treatment; * P < 0.05, ^** P < 0.01 vs Cont-Veh; ^&P < 0.01 KO-Bac vs Cont-Veh or Cont-Bac by two-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. (d) PTH secretory properties in PTGs (2 per group) from 3-month-old ^PTGGAD1^−/−;GAD2^−/− double KO (GAD1/2-DKO, magenta triangle) and control (Cont, red circle) littermates. Mean ± s.e.m. of n mice as indicated for each genotype; * P < 0.05, vs Cont by two-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. (e-h) Representative pictures (e), average body weights (B.Wt.) (f), serum PTH (sPTH) and total serum Ca²⁺ (sCa) levels (g), and skeletal parameters in trabecular (Tb) bone of distal femur and cortical (Ct.) bone in tibiofibular junction (h) of GABA_B1R-KO mice and control (Cont) littermates with the n as indicated for each group. Tb.BV/TV: Tb bone fraction over total bone volume; Tb.Th: Tb thickness; Tb.BMD: Tb bone mineral density; Ct.TV: total Ct bone volume; Ct.Th: Ct thickness. Mean ± s.e.m. of n = mice as indicated, P-values were assessed by 2-tails Student’s t-test. (i-k) Average B.Wt. (i), sPTH and Ca²⁺ (sCa) levels (j), and PTG micrographs and quantified volumes (k) of GAD1/2-DKO mice and control (Cont) littermates with the n as indicated for each genotype. For panel K, PTGs were compressed into discs between a pair of glass slide and coverslip with a 120-μm spacer during fixation, washed, stained with blue fluorescent DAPI dye, and imaged. Glandular volumes were calculated as the products of glandular areas x 120 μm and presented in the scatter histograms. Mean ± s.e.m. of n mice as indicated per genotype. P-values were assessed by 2-tails Student’s t-test.

Further supporting the GABA_B1R action was the ability of a specific GABA_B1R antagonist CGP54626 (CGP) to significantly (p<0.01) reduce PTH-Max (Fig. 2b, top panel, green triangle) and left-shift the Ca²⁺ set-point from 1.22 ± 0.01 mM to 0.87 ± 0.03 mM (Fig. 2b, bottom panel, green triangle) in B6 PTGs. These actions of CGP on secretory properties (i.e., PTH-Max and Ca²⁺ set-point) could be replicated in PTGs isolated from ^PTGGABA_B1R^−/− (GABA_B1R-KO) mice with Cre/loxP-mediated deletion of both Gabbr1 genes in their PTCs (see On-line Methods for the generation of the mice). These KO PTGs showed a reduction in tonic PTH secretion (PTH-Max) (Fig. 2c, top panel, GBR1-KO-Veh vs Cont-Veh), a left-shifted Ca²⁺ set-point from 1.35 ± 0.07 mM in control PTGs to 1.15 ± 0.08 mM (Fig. 2c, bottom panel, GBR1-KO-Veh vs Cont-Veh), and inability of Bac to increase PTH-Max in the GABA_B1R-KO vs control PTGs (Fig. 2c, top panel, GBR1-KO-Bac vs Cont-Bac). These data not only support a critical role of GABA_B1R in promoting tonic PTH secretion at low [Ca²⁺]_e, but also specify the receptor as a target of Bac in PTGs.

We next tested whether production of endogenous GABA in PTGs is required for PTH secretion by examining the secretory properties of PTGs lacking GAD1/2. As we anticipated, PTGs from the mice with concurrent ablation of both Gad1 and Gad2 genes in PTCs (GAD1/2-DKO) displayed a left-shifted Ca²⁺ set-point (from 1.29 ± 0.06 in Cont to 0.95± 0.08 mM in DKO) (Fig. 2d, bottom panel). However, they showed an increased PTH-Max (Fig. 2d, top panel) instead of a reduced PTH-Max as seen in GABA_B1R-deficient PTGs (Fig. 2c, top panel). It is plausible that the differential effects of GABA vs GABA_B1R KO on the secretory properties of PTG are due to the ability of GABA_B1R to interact with other ligands made in PTGs to drive tonic PTH secretion in the absence of GABA. Nevertheless, given the higher efficacy and selectivity of Bac for GABA_B1R in PTGs, we utilized Bac in subsequent experiments to better define GABA_B1R actions of in PTCs.

Impact of Parathyroid GABA_B1R and GAD1/2 on Growth and Systemic Homeostasis

We next examined systemic impacts of parathyroid GABA_B1R and GAD1/2 by comparing changes in growth, mineral, hormonal, and skeletal homeostasis in the ^PTGGABA_B1R^−/− (or GABA_B1R-KO) and ^PTGGAD1/2^−/− (or GAD1/2-DKO) mice vs their control (Cont) littermates. Both male and female mice were studied at 3 months of age and did not show significant sex differences. We, therefore, only reported data from the male mice. The GABA_B1R-KO mice showed smaller body sizes (Fig. 2e) and weights by ≈10% (Fig. 2f, red vs gray circles), and all characteristics of hypoparathyroidism with significant lower serum PTH (sPTH) and Ca²⁺ (sCa) levels (Fig. 2g). Additionally, bones of the GABA_B1R-KO mice were smaller and osteopenic (Fig. 2h), likely due to chronic PTH and Ca²⁺ insufficiency. On the other hand, GAD1/2-DKO mice did not show a significant change in body weight (Fig. 2i), but manifested significantly lower sPTH and sCa levels (Fig. 2j). Remarkably, GAD1/2-DKO mice showed enlarged PTGs (by ≈45%) compared to control (Cont) PTGs (Fig. 2k), indicating a glandular hyperplasia in lieu of chronic hypocalcemia. This could explain the increased PTH-Max of their glands (Fig. 2f, top panel). Nevertheless, these data together reveal previously unknown extraneuronal actions of GABA_B1R and GAD1/2 in PTGs that critically regulate growth and skeletal development by maintaining adequate serum PTH and Ca²⁺ levels.

Heteromerization Between GABA_B1R and CaSR in PTGs and in HEK293 Cells

To test our hypothesis that GABA_B1R interacts with CaSR to regulate PTH secretion, we first confirmed the formation of native CaSR/GABA_B1R heteromers in mouse PTGs (Fig. 3a, left panels) and human parathyroid adenomas (Fig. 3b, left panels) using a proximity ligation assay (PLA) with selective antibodies against the N-termini of these receptors. These PLA signals were considered specific as they were absent in PTGs from ^PTGGABA_B1R^−/− mice (Fig. 3a, right panels) or human PTGs incubated with anti-CaSR antibody only (Fig. 3b, right panels). The formation of GABA_B1R/CaSR heteromer in PTGs was further supported by specific co-immunoprecipitation of the CaSR with the GABA_B1R from human parathyroid adenomas (Fig. 3c), as this signal was profoundly reduced in samples co-immunoprecipitated with non-immune sera (Extended Data Fig. 1e).

Figure 3. Heteromerization of CaSR and GABA_B1R in PTCs and HEK293 cells.

(a, b) Proximity ligation assay (PLA) with CaSR and GABA_B1R antibodies show strong fluorescent signals (in red) of receptor heteromerization in (a) PTGs from control (Cont), but not ^PTGGABA_B1R^−/− KO mice, and in (b) PTGs from patients with 1° HPT incubated with both antibodies, but not in those treated with anti-CaSR alone. Blue: DAPI nuclear staining. Lower panels show digitally enlarged images of white boxed areas. n = 6 PTGs from 3 mouse or 3 human PTGs per group. (c) Membrane proteins (400 μg) extracted from human parathyroid adenomas were subjected to immunoprecipitation (Imppt) with either CaSR or GABA_B1R antibodies and immunoblotted (IB) along with non-Imppt controls (input, 50 μg) with either CaSR or GABA_B1R antibodies. Left two panels demonstrate the ability of CaSR antibody to pull down ≈140 and 150 kD glycosylated CaSR (arrowheads) and large aggregates (*) along with ≈100 kD unglycosylated and ≈130 kD glycosylated GABA_B1R (open arrow). Two right panels demonstrate the ability of GABA_B1R antibody to pull down ≈100 kD unglycosylated and ≈130 kD glycosylated GABA_B1R (open arrow) along with the ≈140 kD glycosylated CaSR (arrowhead) and large aggregates (*). n = 3 different human PTG lysates. (d) An example of photobleaching experiment. Emission intensities of YFP (535 nm, orange) and CFP (480 nm, blue) recorded from a batch of 5 single cells coexpressing CaSR fused with CFP (CaSR-CFP) and GABA_B1R fused with YFP (GABA_B1R-YFP). Emission intensities were recorded before and after YFP was photobleached by exposure to continuous illumination at 500 nm. (e) Average recorded FRET efficiency was calculated according to equation (3) (see On-line Methods) from HEK-293 cells expressing a combination of receptors or proteins C-terminally tagged with CFP or YFP as indicated. Mean ± s.e.m. of n batches of cells (5 cells/batch) as indicated from 3 independent DNA transfections. P values between groups were assessed by one-way ANOVA Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. (f, g) (f) Multicolor BiFC detection of GABA_B1R homomers and GABA_B1R/CaSR or GABA_B1R/GABA_B2R heteromers. CaSR carrying an N-terminal fragment of CFP (CaSR^N-CFP), GABA_B1R carrying the N-terminus of the YFP (GABA_B1R^N-YFP), and GABA_B1R carrying the C-terminus of CFP/YFP (GABA_B1R^C-CFP/YFP) were coexpressed in HEK-293 cells. The relative amount of homodimer versus heterodimer was visualized after excitation at 500 nm (YFP) or 436 nm (CFP), respectively. In separate experiments, similar BiFC approach and transfection protocols were used to assess heteromerization of GABA_B1R^N-CFP and GABA_B2R^C-CFP in HEK-293 cells. (g) CFP emission intensities recorded from HEK293 cells transfected with an increasing amount of CaSR^N-CFP in combination with a fixed amount of GABA_B1R^C-CFP cDNAs. Mean ± s.e.m. of n batches of cells (5 cells/batch) as indicated from 3 independent DNA transfections. P values between groups were assessed by 2-tails Student’s t-test.

We further evaluated the propensity of GABA_B1R and CaSR in heteromerization by a series of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments using cultured human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells expressing recombinant receptors. Specific intermolecular FRET was detected between CaSR and GABA_B1R, which were C-terminally tagged with CFP and YFP, respectively (Fig. 3d), with an efficacy similar to the FRET signals recorded for the well-established GABA_B1R/GABA_B2R heteromer (Fig. 3e). The specificity of this CaSR/GABA_B1R interaction is supported by minimal FRET signals between the plasma membrane-tagged CFP and YFP (CFPm and YFPm, respectively), or between CFP and YFP fused to the C-terminus of GABA_B1R (GABA_B1R^CFP) and PTH receptor (PTHR^YFP), respectively (Fig. 3e). We further corroborated the selectivity of CaSR/GABA_B1R heteromer through a bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay. This assay is based on the generation of functionally complemented fluorescent protein (FP) by physical association of two halves (N− and C−) of FPs that are brought in close proximity by specific interactions of two molecules tagged with the complementary FP fragments^27–29. Specifically, HEK-293 cells were transfected with equal molar ratio of cDNA to express simultaneously (i) the CaSR C-terminally fused to the N-terminus fragment of CFP (residues 1–158) (CaSR^N-CFP), (ii) the GABA_B1R C-terminally fused to N-terminus fragment of YFP (GB1R^N-YFP), and (iii) the GABA_B1R C-terminally fused to the C-terminus fragment of CFP (residues 158–239) (GABA_B1R^C-CFP/YFP), which is identical to and functionally exchangeable with the C-terminus fragment of YFP. The relative amount of CaSR^N-CFP/GABA_B1R^C-YFP heteromer vs GABA_B1R^N-YFP/GABA_B1R^C-YFP homomer was then determined by recording BiFC-CFP vs BiFC-YFP fluorescence, respectively. We observed only a saturable CFP (CaSR/GABA_B1R) signal (Fig. 3f, 3g) and minimal YFP (GABA_B1R/GABA_B1R) signal, indicating a preference in the formation of CaSR/GABA_B1R heteromer over GABA_B1R/GABA_B1R homomer. The propensity of CaSR/GABA_B1R heteromerization was again comparable to that of GABA_B1R/GABA_B2R heteromerization as indicated by their comparable BiFC signals (Fig. 3f). Taken together, our data reveal strong propensity of CaSR and GABA_B1R to form heteromers in transfected cells and PTCs.

Impact of GABA_B1R/CaSR Heteromer on Signaling Responses of Homomeric CaSRs

Given the ability of CaSR to chaperone GABA_B1R to cell surface in the form of heteromer in transfected HEK293 cells²², we tested whether GABA_B1R traffics with homomeric CaSR to cell surface and interfere with signaling responses of the latter receptor there, particularly in response to binding to GABA_B1R agonists. As previous studies^30,31 suggested that homomeric CaSR mediates the inhibitory action of extracellular Ca²⁺ on PTH secretion through Gq/G₁₁ and Gi activation, we first confirmed this notion by assessing PTH secretion in PTGs cultured from mice with PTG-specific deletion of Gαq in the background of germ-line Gα₁₁ KO (^PTGGq^−/−//G₁₁^−/−) and in wild-type PTGs treated with pertussis toxin (PTx) to block Gi activation, respectively. We showed that ablation of Gnaq and Gna11 genes in PTCs blocked the ability of raising [Ca²⁺]_e to suppress PTH secretion as indicated by right-shifted Ca²⁺ set-points in a gene dosage-dependent manner (Extended Data Fig. 3), while PTx enhanced PTH secretion, particularly in the lower range of [Ca²⁺]_e in which baclofen promotes PTH secretion (Extended Data Fig. 4). Interestingly, in PTGs cultured from the ^PTGGq^−/−//G₁₁^−/− mice lacking Gαq and Gα₁₁, we observed increases in PTH secretion with raising [Ca²⁺]_e in the lower range of [Ca²⁺]_e (0.5 to 1.5 mM) (Extended Data Fig. 3). The latter effects were, however, absent in PTGs cultured from mice lacking both alleles of Casr genes (Extended Data Fig. 3). These data not only confirmed the requirement of both Gq/11 and Gi activation in mediating the high [Ca²⁺]_e-induced suppression of PTH, but also unveiled a Gq/11-independent action of Ca²⁺/CaSR, likely by activating the CaSR/GABA_B1R heteromer to promote PTH secretion.

We then measured time courses of G-protein (Gq or Gi) activation using FRET-based biosensors^32,33 in HEK-293 cells expressing the recombinant CaSR and/or GABA_B1R. Application of Ca²⁺ to single cells expressing the CaSR alone induced a fast increase in FRET ratios reflecting Gq (Fig. 4a) or Gi (Fig. 4d) activation. Co-expression of GABA_B1R with the CaSR suppressed the maximal activation of Gq (Fig. 4b) and Gi (Fig. 4e) mediated by Ca²⁺ by ≈30–50% (Fig. 4c, 4f). These inhibitory effects were further exacerbated by addition of baclofen (Fig. 4b, 4e), thus indicating reduced homomeric CaSR signaling when CaSR/GABA_B1R complexes are activated by baclofen (Fig. 4c, 4f). Baclofen did not affect Gq or Gi activation via CaSR alone (Fig. 4a, 4d), nor did Ca²⁺ affect G-protein activation via GABA_B1R when each receptor was expressed alone in HEK-293 cells. Similar inhibitory action of baclofen on Ca²⁺-mediated Gq activation were obtained in rat parathyroid-derived PTH-C1 cells³⁴ (Extended Data Fig. 5a) with (left panel) or without (right panel) supplementation of exogenous CaSR and GABA_B1R cDNAs.

Figure 4. Signaling properties of the CaSR/GABA_B1R heteromer.

(a, b) Representative FRET experiments showing direct effect of Ca²⁺ (3 mM) alone or with baclofen (300 μM) in single HEK293 cells coexpressing the FRET-based Gq sensor (Gq^Turq/YFP) and CaSR (a) alone, or (b) in combination with GABA_B1R. The change in FRET (N_FRET) was calculated according to equation #2 (see On-line Methods) with the initial value at t = 0 set to 1. (c) Histograms represent the effects of Ca²⁺ and baclofen added alone or together on the level of Gq activation with 100% corresponding to an increase of the FRET ratio by 6%. Mean ± s.e.m. of N = 5 with 5 cells/ experiment; P values between groups were assessed by one-way ANOVA Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. (d–f) Similar experiments were done with the FRET-based Gi sensor (Gi^CFP/YFP) (d,e) and summarized (f). Mean ± s.e.m. of n = 4–5 experiments with 5 cells/experiment. P values between groups were assessed by one-way ANOVA Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. (g, h) Concentration-response relation for Ca²⁺ on the change in total inositol phosphate (InPTotal) production (g), and corresponding normalized histograms summarizing (h) the effects of baclofen on Ca²⁺-mediated InP production in cells coexpressing CaSR and/or GABA_B1R. Mean ± s.e.m. of n = 6–10 experiments with 5 cells/experiment. P values between groups were assessed by one-way ANOVA Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. (i-k) Averaged time-courses of cAMP in PTH-C1 cells pretreated with cholera toxin (CTX, 1 μg/ml for 5 h) and expressing CaSR (i) alone or (j, k) with GABA_B1R. Horizontal bars represent application of a saturating concentration of Ca²⁺ (3 mM) alone or in combination with baclofen (300 μM) and/or a GABA_B1R antagonist, CGP54626 (10 μM), or forskolin (10 μM). Mean ± s.e.m. of n = 3 experiments with 10–15 cells/experiment.

The ability of baclofen to inhibit Ca²⁺-mediated Gi or Gq activation, when GABA_B1R was coexpressed, was also observed at the second-messenger level. Specifically, we studied effects of high [Ca²⁺]_e on receptor-mediated activation of total inositol phosphate turnover (IP_Total) and inhibition of cAMP in cells pretreated with cholera toxin (CTx) that induces persistent activation of the Gs/adenylate cyclase/cAMP pathway as readouts of downstream Gq and Gi signaling, respectively. In cells expressing CaSR alone, high [Ca²⁺]_e stimulated IP_Total in a concentration-dependent manner (Fig. 4g, black circles). This effect of high [Ca²⁺]_e decreased markedly when GABA_B1R was coexpressed, and baclofen further decreased this effect by ≈15% (Fig. 4g, blue circles, and 4h). Pretreatment of PTH-C1 cells expressing CaSR alone with CTx increased the basal level of cAMP, and high [Ca²⁺]_e markedly decreased the production of cAMP (Extended Data Fig. 5b and Fig. 4i). Coexpression of GABA_B1R decreased the efficacy of high [Ca²⁺]_e to block cAMP accumulation (Fig. 4j), and baclofen further prevented the inhibitory action of high [Ca²⁺]_e (Fig 4k). The observed effect of baclofen likely resulted from a direct binding to GABA_B1R because addition of a competitive GABA_B1R antagonist, CGP54626, reversed the action of baclofen and restored the cAMP response to a level similar to that was caused by high [Ca²⁺]_e in the absence of baclofen (Fig. 4k). Baclofen did not modulate IP_tot or cAMP production by itself, thus indicating that these effects were dependent on the coactivation of both CaSR and GABA_B1R by their respective ligands. These signaling data together suggest that following baclofen binding, a conformational change transmitted from the GABA_B1R to the homomeric CaSRs reduces efficacy of Gq and Gi activation (extent and duration of G protein signaling) of the latter receptors as a molecular basis to promote PTH secretion.

Increased GABA_B1R/CaSR Heteromers in Hyperplastic PTGs from 1°HPT and 2°HPT Patients

We reasoned that reduced CaSR expression in PTG, a well-established characteristic of both 1° and 2° HPT, renders a receptor stoichiometry favoring the formation of CaSR/GABA_B1R heteromers, thus promoting PTH secretion. To test this hypothesis, we compared the expression of CaSR and GABA_B1R by immunohistochemistry and expression of CaSR/GABA_B1R heteromer by PLA in PTGs surgically removed from patients who were clinically diagnosed with 1° HPT or 2° HPT (Supplementary Table 1) to the levels in normal PTG tissues that were excised during parathyroid exploration or thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer. In the hyperplastic PTGs from both 1° HPT (Fig. 5a, regions 3 and 4) and 2° HPT (Fig. 5b, regions 3 and 4) patients, we observed significant increases in the expression of GABA_B1R/CaSR heteromer by 3.4- and 5.2-fold (Fig. 5c), respectively, along with >50% reduction in CaSR expression (Fig. 5c and Supplementary Fig. 5a) and 30–40% reductions in GABA_B1R expression (Fig. 5c and Supplementary Fig. 5b), when compared to adjacent normal parathyroid tissue and to normal PTGs (Fig. 5a, 5b: regions 1 and 2, and 5c). These data associate increased expression of GABA_B1R/CaSR heteromer with PTH hypersecretion in these diseases.

Figure 5. Increased Expression of CaSR/GABA_B1R Heteromers in PTGs from Patients with 1° HPT and 2° HPT.

(a,b) Representative images of fluorescent PLA signals (in red) of CaSR/GABA_B1R heteromers in parts of the excised glands that represent the adenoma (zones 3 and 4) and adjacent normal parathyroid tissue (zones 1 and 2) in sections of (a) PTG tumor from a patient with surgically proven 1° HPT, or (b) hyperplastic nodules in the PTG removed from a patient with 2° HPT. Blue fluorescence indicates DAPI nuclear staining. There sections from each sample (patents) were stained independently in 3 separate experiments and the averaged value was used for statistical analyses shown below. (c) Corresponding histograms comparing expression levels of CaSR/GABA_B1R heteromers (left plot), or individual receptors (central and right plots) from abnormal parathyroid tissues to expression levels in normal parathyroid tissues (NL*) excised together with hyperplasic PTGs as seen in panels (a) and (b) or removed during thyroid surgery from patients without known parathyroid diseases (NL, images not shown). The increased levels of CaSR/GABA_B1R heteromer were accompanied by reduced CaSR and GABA_B1R expression (see Supplementary Fig. 5a,b for representative images) in both HPT states. Data are the Mean ± s.e.m. of n= 5–8 (NL*), 5 (NL) , 5–8 (1° HPT), and 5–7 (2° HPT) biologically independent PTGs samples (patients)/3 independent experiments. P-values between groups indicated were determined by one-way ANOVA with Sidak’s test.

The GABA_B1R-mediated PTH Hypersecretion in CaSR-insufficient and calcium-deficient states

To test whether GABA_B1R/CaSR heteromers contribute to PTH hypersecretion in states of CaSR insufficiency, as seen in 1° and 2° HPT, we studied effects of deleting Gabbr1 genes in mice lacking 1 ( ^PTGCaSR^+/–) or 2 ( ^PTGCaSR^−/−) alleles of Casr gene in their PTGs. As shown previously³⁵, the ^PTGCaSR^+/– mice, a hereditary mild 1°HPT model, developed normally along with increased body weights (Fig. 6b, blue circles), mild PTH excess (Fig. 6c), and hypercalcemia (Fig. 6d). Reducing or completely blocking GABA_B1R/CaSR heteromerization by concurrent ablation of single (^PTGCaSR^+/–//GABA_B1R^+/–) or both (^PTGCaSR^+/–//GABA_B1R^−/−) alleles of Gabbr1 gene in PTCs of the mice, respectively, produced gene-dosage effects in alleviating serum PTH excess (Fig. 6c) and hypercalcemia (Fig. 6d). In fact, the ^PTGCaSR^+/–//GABA_B1R^−/− mice had a sPTH level, which was lower than the level in control (^PTGCaSR^+/+//GABA_B1R^+/+) mice, likely due to the markedly reduced PTH-Max (Fig. 6e, top panel) and left-shifted Ca²⁺ set-point (Fig. 6e, bottom panel) in their PTGs. As seen in wild-type PTGs treated with GABA or baclofen (Fig. 2a, top panel, blue square), PTGs from the ^PTGCaSR^+/– mice displayed biphasic secretory responses to [Ca²⁺]_e: increasing PTH secretion at <1.0 mM Ca²⁺, and decreasing PTH secretion at > 1.0 mM Ca²⁺ (Fig. 6e, blue circle). The increasing phase of secretory response in the lower range of [Ca²⁺]_e was completely abrogated in the PTGs of ^PTGCaSR^+/–//GABA_B1R^−/− mice lacking both alleles of Gabbr1 genes (Fig. 6e, magenta square). These data suggest that increasing activation of CaSR/GABA_B1R complexes may underlie the tonic PTH hypersecretion in the lower range of [Ca²⁺]_e, particularly when the GABA_B1R:CaSR stoichiometry is reduced in the condition of decreasing CaSR expression (in this case, due to deletion of one Casr gene allele).

Figure 6. Impacts of GABA_B1R KO on PTH Secretory Functions and Mineral and Hormonal Status in Mouse Models of Hereditary HPT and Chronic Ca²⁺-deficiency.

(a) Pictures of 3-month-old male mice with heterozygous or homozygous GABA_B1R KO in the background of heterozygous or homozygous CaSR KO in their PTCs and their control littermates and 3-week-old mice with homozygous CaSR KO, which usually die between 3–4 weeks of age. (b–d) Average body weights (B.Wt.) (c), sPTH (d) and Ca²⁺ levels (d) in mice with PTG-specific heterozygous (+/−) or homozygous (−/−) CaSR and heterozygous (+/−) or homozygous (−/−) GABA_B1R KO and control littermates carrying floxed-alleles without PTH-Cre expression. Mean ± s.e.m. of n mice for each group as indicated below the genotype. *P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01 between groups by one-way ANOVA with Sidak’s test. (e, f) Assessments of PTH secretory properties (PTH-Max and Ca²⁺-set-point) of PTGs (2 per group) from the 3-month-old mice with heterozygous (e) or homozygous (f) CaSR KO without (blue or brown circle) or with (magenta or yellow square) homozygous GABA_B1R KO and their control littermates (gray circle). Mean ± s.e.m. of n mice as indicated in the plots. ^**P < 0.01 vs ^PTGCaSR^+/–//GABA_B1R^+/+ mice in panel E or vs ^PTGCaSR^−/−//GABA_B1R^+/+ mice in panel F by two-way ANOVA with Sidak’s test. (g) Serum PTH and Ca²⁺ levels in 16-wk-old male ^PTGGABA_B1R⁻KO and Control (Cont) littermates after feeding with normal (1%) or low Ca²⁺ (0.02%) diets for 4 weeks. Mean ± s.e.m. of n = 8–12 mice as indicated, *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01 between groups indicated by one-way ANOVA with Sidak’s test.

The ^PTGCaSR^−/− mice with homozygous deletion of Casr genes in their PTGs, produced much more severe HPT, failed to thrive, and died before 3–4 weeks of age³⁵ with reduced body sizes (Fig. 6a, CaSR-KO), ≈7-fold increase in sPTH (Fig. 6c, brown circle), and ≈70% increase in sCa levels (Fig. 6d, brown circle), when compared to 3-month-old control littermates. Remarkably, concurrent deletion of 1 (^PTGCaSR^−/−//GABA_B1R^+/–) or 2 (^PTGCaSR^−/−//GABA_B1R^−/−) alleles of Gabbr1 gene rescued the mice from early death and permitted a relatively normal growth, albeit with a slight decrease (≈5%) in body weight (Fig. 6b, orange or yellow circle). The severe HPT phenotypes were significantly alleviated as indicated by the much reduced sPTH (Fig. 6c) and sCa (Fig. 6d) levels, when compared to 3-week-old ^PTGCaSR^−/− mice (Fig. 6b, 6c, brown circle). PTGs cultured from the ^PTGCaSR^−/−//GABA_B1R^−/− mice also showed a much reduced PTH-Max when compared to the glands of ^PTGCaSR^−/− mice (Fig. 6f, top panel, yellow square vs brown circle), despite the lack of apparent inhibitory responses to raising [Ca²⁺]_e in both groups, when compared to control littermates (Fig. 6f, bottom panel, gray circle). These data not only confirm nonredundant roles of GABA_B1R in mediating PTH hypersecretion in conditions of CaSR deficiency, but also suggest that GABA_B1R may also contribute to tonic PTH secretion through a CaSR-independent pathway.

To test whether the parathyroid GABA_B1R is involved in PTH hypersecretion resulting from chronic Ca²⁺-deficiency, we subjected the GABA_B1R-KO mice and their control littermates to a continuous low Ca²⁺ diet (0.02% vs 1% in the normal diet) for 4 weeks. Our data showed that the ability of this diet to increase serum PTH levels (by ≈50%) in control littermates was completely lost in the GABA_B1R-KO mice (Fig. 6g, left panel), despite the fact that their serum [Ca²⁺] remained lower than control mice (Fig. 6g, right panel), supporting a role for the GABA_B1R in mediating hypocalcemia-induced PTH hypersecretion.

DISCUSSION

Our data unveil a biological action of the GABA/GABA_B1R system in mediating PTH secretion to maintain mineral balance and normal skeletal development and a pathological role in enabling PTH hypersecretion in HPT states. Our demonstrations of GAD1/2 expression and GABA biosynthesis in PTGs and the ability of GAD1/2 KO to produce hypoparathyroidism further support an autocrine scheme in which PTCs release GABA to alter PTH secretion by attenuating homomeric CaSR signaling through allosteric interactions between the CaSR and GABA_B1R receptors (Fig. 7). We speculate that inherent declines in CaSR expression in 1° and 2° HPT disease conditions decreases levels of CaSR homomers and at the same time increases the likelihood for GABA_B1R/CaSR heteromer formation. However, concurrent reductions of GABA_B1R and CaSR expression in PTGs of 1° HPT and 2° HPT patients suggest that mechanisms other than simple stoichiometric ratio changes in receptor expression (i.e., GABA_B1R over CaSR) could also be involved to alter the propensity of GABA_B1R/CaSR heteromerization.

Figure 7. Proposed Model Illustrating the Role of GABA and GABA_B1R in PTGs.

We propose that GABA made by parathyroid GAD1/2 acts as an autocrine pathway to activate GABA_B1R in the GABA_B1R/CaSR heteromers to block G-protein signaling of the CaSR/CaSR homomers in PTGs, thus promoting PTH secretion, and that increased expression and/or activation of GABA_B1R/CaSR heteromers underlie the PTH hypersecretion in different HPT states. The presented stoichiometric composition of the receptor complex is speculative and remains to be determined.

A notable observation is the distinct pharmacological profiles of Bac and GABA in mediating PTH secretion. The former tends to increase PTH-Max, while the latter shifts the Ca²⁺ set-points (Fig. 2a). Given that the only structural difference between GABA- and baclofen-occupied GABA_B1R is the orientation adopted by its N-terminal extracellular residue W276^36,37, the distinct efficacy and potency, by which GABA and baclofen act on GABA_B1R/CaSR heteromer to interfere with the homomeric CaSR, might reflect distinct conformational change of the GABA_B1R/CaSR heteromer when it interacts with GABA- vs. baclofen-bound GABA_B1R. These differential signaling responses are also reflected by the different phenotypic manifestations between GABA_B1R-KO and GAD1/2-DKO mice. GABA_B1R-KO mice appear to produce more severe growth defects than the GAD1/2-DKO based on their body weights (Fig. 2f vs 2i). GABA_B1R KO also had more profound impact on reducing PTH-Max than GAD1/2 DKO in the PTGs (Fig. 2g vs 2j).

Several questions remain to be answered to further understand the mechanism of the process described here. Among them are the following:

How does the CaSR heteromerize with the GABA_B1R? While covalent disulfide bonding in the N-terminal extracellular domain (ECD) of the CaSR is involved in its homodimerization², the ability of CaSR-ECD (a.a. 1–579) alone to complex with the GABA_B1R²² that lacks a corresponding cysteine-rich domain in its ECD, however, supports critical noncovalent interactions between the ECDs of the receptors in CaSR/GABA_B1R heteromerization. Given that a polar interface, instead of hydrophobic action seen in the dimerization of mGluRs, is critically involved in GABA_B1R/GABA_B2R heterodimerization³⁸ and that GABA_B1R and GABA_B2R mutually compete for heterodimerization with CaSR²², it is an attractive hypothesis that formations of ionic salt-bridges between the ECDs of CaSR and GABA_B1R as well as the helix:helix interactions in the hydrophobic transmembrane domains are needed to mediate the complex formation and perhaps their binding to the respective ligands (GABA and Ca²⁺). Mapping of the interaction sites between these two receptors may permit new strategies for blocking the formation and/or functions of CaSR/GABA_B1R heteromers as a new pharmacological means to prevent PTH hypersecretion.

How does GABA_B1R interfere with the coupling of homomeric CaSRs to downstream Gq/11 and Gi signaling responses? This interaction may take place in an acute dynamic fashion between two or more complexes (i.e., CaSR/GABA_B1R heterodimers and CaSR/CaSR homodimer) immediately after binding to their respective ligands. However, given that simply coexpressing GABA_B1R (without Bac) is sufficient to reduce coupling of CaSR to down-stream signaling responses, we prefer the model involving a pre-assembled higher-order receptor complex (e.g., trimer, tetramer, etc.) containing both CaSR/GABA_B1R heterodimers and CaSR/CaSR homodimer with a pre-determined stoichiometric composition. In transfected HEK cells, we observed colocalization of recombinant CaSR and GABA_B1R as early as in the perinuclear endoplasmic reticulum²², suggesting that this pre-assembled complex may take place immediately after protein synthesis.

Can additional parathyroid GPCRs be upregulated in pathological conditions and interact with CaSR and/or GABA_B1R? This is particularly pertinent given that GPR64, an orphan adhesion GPCR whose expression is upregulated in parathyroid adenomas³⁹ has been proposed to physically interact with the CaSR.

Can the GABA_B1R regulate PTH secretion independently of the CaSR? While our present results demonstrate the interaction between CaSR and GABA_B1R as a means to regulate PTH secretion from PTGs, the robust PTH secretion in the absence of CaSR in the PTGs of the ^PTGCaSR^−/− mice (Fig. 6f, top panel, brown circles) and profound abrogation of this hypersecretory activity in PTGs of ^PTGCaSR^−/−//GABA_B1R^−/− mice with concurrent GABA_B1R KO (Fig. 6f, top panel, yellow squares) raise the possibility of a CaSR-independent action of GABA_B1R in promoting PTH secretion. Alternatively, a minute amount (≈10%) of CaSR due to incomplete Casr gene excision could readily interact with GABA_B1Rs to promote PTH secretion, as we showed previously that PTH-Cre permits ablation of ≈90% of CaSR in the PTGs of the ^PTGCaSR^−/− mice⁴⁰.

While future studies are required to address these questions, our results unveil the unexpected and determinant role of GABA and GABA_B1R in regulating CaSR signaling and PTG functions. Considering that the GABA_B1R and CaSR, are expressed in central neurons and many vital peripheral tissues, we anticipate that the regulation of CaSR signaling and function by the GABA_B1R also impacts biological processes beyond mineral and skeletal homeostasis. Development of targeted pharmaceuticals against cell and/or subcellular domain-specific heteromers could also improve the effectiveness of disease treatment and prevent the unwanted side-effects of more generalized pharmaceutics such as baclofen that has been used to treat neurological disorders.

METHODS

Detailed information on experimental design and reagents included in the study is attached in the affiliated “Reporting Summary” document.

Mice

All animal procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the San Francisco Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center (Protocol numbers: 2012–035, 2015–029, and 2015–003). Wild-type C57/B6 and PTH-Cre mice²⁶ (Stock No:005989) were purchased from Jackson Laboratory (JAX; Bar Harbor, Maine, USA). Floxed-GABA_B1R mice were provided by Dr. Bernhard Bettler (University of Basel, Switzerland)⁴¹. Floxed-GAD1;GAD2 mice^42,43 were generated by Dr. Richard Palmiter (University of Washington) and obtained from Dr. Qi Wu (Baylor College of Medicine). Floxed-CaSR mice were made previously⁴⁰. PTH-Cre, Floxed-GABA_B1R, and/or Floxed-CaSR mice were bred to obtain male ^PTGCaSR^+/–//GABA_B1R^+/– and female CaSR^flox/wt//GABA_B1R^flox/wt mice, which were then used to produce ^PTGGABA_B1R^−/−, ^PTGCaSR^+/–, ^PTGCaSR^−/−, ^PTGCaSR^+/–//GABA_B1R^+/–, ^PTGCaSR^+/–//GABA_B1R^−/−, and ^PTGCaSR^−/−//GABA_B1R^−/− mice and control (Cont) littermates. The latter controls carry 1 or 2 alleles of floxed-CaSR and/or floxed-GABA_B1R without PTH-Cre transgene. PTH-Cre and Floxed-GAD1;GAD2 mice were bred to obtain ^PTGGAD1^−/−//GAD2^−/− and female GAD1^flox/flox//GAD2^flox/flox mice which were then crossed to produce ^PTGGAD1^−/−//GAD2^−/− double KO (or ^PTGGAD1/2^−/− and GAD1/2-DKO) mice and control (Cont) mice carrying floxed-GAD1 and floxed-GAD2 alleles without PTH-Cre expression. Mice carrying floxed-Gnaq alleles in the background of germline Gna11 KO were provided by Dr. Jurgen Wess (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD) and were bred with PTH-Cre mice to produce ^PTGGq^−/− , ^PTGGq^−/−//G₁₁^+/–, and ^PTGGq^−/−//G₁₁^−/− mice and control littermates. All transgenic mice were bred into C57/BL6 background before studies were performed at 12 weeks of age, or as specified, along with their control littermates. All mice were kept in a climate-controlled room with a 12-hour light/12-hour dark cycle with standard diets as previously described⁴⁰. Both male and female mice were studied and did not show significant sex differences. We, therefore, only reported data from male mice. For dietary experiments, 12-wk-old male ^PTGGABA_B1R^−/− and control littermates were fed with normal (1%) or low Ca²⁺ (0.02%) diets for 4 weeks. All serum and tissue collections were performed under anesthesia by Isoflurane at the specified ages. All animal experiments were performed in accordance with the ARRIVE (Animal Research Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) guideline.

Mouse genotypes were determined by PCR analysis of genomic DNA extracted from tail snips using primer sets reported previously^40,41. To detect the presence of the exon8-less Gabbr1 allele, genomic DNA from different tissues of ^PTGGABA_B1R^−/− and their control littermates were analyzed by PCR using primers flanking the exon 8 the gene (upper primer, 5’-ATC TCT TCC TTG GCT GGG TCT TTG CTT CGC TCG-3’; lower primer, 5’-GGG TTA TTG AAT ATG ATC GGA ATT CCT CGA CT-3’)⁴¹ to give a 0.36 kb DNA fragment indicative of gene excision. PTG-specific ablation of the exon 7 of the Casr gene in ^PTGCaSR^−/− mice was determined as described previously⁴⁰.

Cell Culture, Transfection and plasmids

Cell culture reagents were obtained from Corning (CellGro). Human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293; ATCC, Georgetown, DC) stably expressing the recombinant mouse CaSR were grown in selection medium (DMEM, 10% FBS, penicillin/streptomycin 5%, 500 μg/ml neomycin) at 37°C in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO₂. The parathyroid PTH-C1 cells were generously given by Dr. Maria Luisa Brandi and cultured in DMEM/F12 (Corning #10–090-CV)³⁴. For transient expression, cells were seeded on glass coverslips coated with poly-D-lysine (50 μg/ml H₂O) in 6-well plates and cultured for 24 hours prior transfection with the appropriate cDNAs using Fugene-6 (Promega) or Lipofectamine 3000 (Life Technologies) for 48–72 hrs before experiments. We optimized expression conditions to ensure the expression of fluorescently labeled proteins was similar in examined cells by performing experiments in cells displaying comparable fluorescence levels. Plasmids used to express recombinant receptors and FRET-based sensors were previously reported: for cAMP³², Gi and Gq proteins³³, and for CaSR and GABA_B1R²³.

Ex vivo PTG cultures

Mouse PTGs were isolated, dissected free of thyroid and surrounding fibrous tissues, and cultured to assess PTH_max (maximal PTH secretion rate) and Ca²⁺ set-point ([Ca²⁺]_e needed to suppress 50% of PTH_max)^35,40. Briefly, PTGs were incubated with a series of DMEM media containing increasing [Ca²⁺]_e sequentially with or without compounds to be tested. The PTH_max and Ca²⁺ set-points were extrapolated from each Ca²⁺/PTH response curve and used for statistical analyses. After secretion assays, some PTGs were compressed into 120 μm-thick discs using a pair of standard glass slide and coverslip with a Secure-Seal™ spacer (S24737, Invitrogen by Thermo Fisher Scientific) during fixation by 4% paraformaldehyde. After 3 washes, PTG disks were stained with blue fluorescent DAPI dye, and imaged. Glandular volumes were calculated individually as the products of glandular areas x 120 μm and used for statistical comparisons.

Human PTGs

Deidentified parathyroid tissues (nine 1°HPT, seven 2°HPT, and five normal controls; see Supplementary Table 1), were obtained by endocrine surgical collaborators in the Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco as a routine patient treatment procedure, after obtaining a general informed consent. The PTG samples were later retrieved by Dr. Khanafshar from the archives of Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco under a human research protocol (#15–17253) approved by UCSF Institutional Review Board based on the following clinical criteria verified by medical record review by Drs. Khanafshar, Shoback, and Herberger. Criteria used for selection of the tissues for study were the following. 1° HPT: (i) serum Ca ≥ 10.2 and ≤ 13.5 mg/dL; (ii) elevated serum PTH levels in setting of hypercalcemia; and (iii) the absence of a known genetic basis for the 1° HPT (e.g., MEN1). 2° HPT: (i) CKD stage 5 on dialysis; (ii) elevated serum PTH levels; and (iii) symptoms of uremic 2° HPT necessitating surgical intervention as determined by referring nephrologists. Normal PTGs: (i) glands inadvertently removed during thyroid operations identified in the pathologic specimens; (ii) no known abnormality in serum Ca homeostasis; and (iii) PTGs classified as histologically normal by attending pathologists. The PTGs were fixed in 4% PFA, embedded in paraffin, sectioned in 5-μm thickness, and subjected to PLA assay and immunohistochemical detection for CaSR and/or GABA_BR1 as described below.

Immunohistochemistry

Mouse PTGs microdissected free of thyroid and other soft tissues from wild-type C57/B6 mice and ^PTGGABA_B1R^−/− and control littermates were embedded in paraffin, and sectioned in 5 μm thickness. Immunohistochemical detection of CaSR, GABA_B1R, GABA, and GAD1/2 in mouse and/or human PTG sections were performed with a rabbit custom-made rabbit polyclonal anti-N-CaSR (VA609, ADDDYGRPGIEKFREEAEERDI) (1 μg/ml)²², a guinea pig anti-GABA_B1R-C (CPSEPPDRLSSDGSRVHLLYK) (1 μg/ml)²², a rabbit anti-GABA (Cat.# A2052, SIGMA), or a rabbit anti-GAD1/2 (Cat.Ab49832, Abcam), and corresponding peroxidase- or FITC-conjugated secondary antibodies, and 3,3’-diaminobenzidine (DAB)-substrate as previously described²². The specificity of anti-GABA_B1R-C, anti-N-CaSR, Anti-GAD1/2 and Anti-GABA antibodies was confirmed by the lack of immunoreactivity in protein lysates (Extended Data Fig. 1a, 1c) or tissue sections (Extended Data Fig. 1b and 1d and Extended Data Fig. 2a and 2b) of PTGs isolated from ^PTGGABA_B1R^−/−, ^PTGCaSR^−/− , and ^PTGGAD1/2^−/− mice, respectively. The specificity of anti-GABA was further verified by the lack of immunoreactivity in adjacent tissue sections subjected to non-immune IgG controls (Extended Data Fig. 2c).

PLA assays

This technique permits the detection and quantification of protein–protein interactions. In brief, when two selective antibodies are in proximity (< 30 nm) due to protein complex formation, complementary DNA strands attached to the secondary antibodies are allowed to be ligated, massively replicated, and visualized with fluorescence-conjugated DNA probes ⁴⁴. To detect in situ CaSR/GABA_B1R complexes, proximity ligation assays (PLA) were performed using Duo link in Situ Detection kits (Sigma-Aldrich Corp., St Louis, MO) according to manufacturer’s instruction on sections of PTGs from ^PTGGABA_B1R^−/− mice and control littermates and sections of human PTGs. Briefly, deparaffinized mouse and human PTG sections were rehydrated, washed, permeabilized with 1% NP-40 in phosphate-buffered saline for 5 min, and incubated in blocking buffer (5% horse serum, 1% BSA, 0.01% Tween-20) for 30 minutes. Sections were incubated with a mouse monoclonal antibody against the N-terminus of GABA_B1R (Abcam ab55051; 20 μg/ml) and anti-N-CaSR (VA609; 4 μg/ml) at 4°C overnight, followed by sense and anti-sense oligonucleotide-conjugated secondary antibodies at 37°C for 1 hour. DNA ligation was performed with DNA ligase (25U/ml) at 37°C for 1 hour, followed by DNA amplification by polymerase I (12.5U/ml) for 100 min at 37°C. After incubation with red fluor-conjugated DNA probes and washing, the sections were mounted with DAPI-containing mounting medium, imaged with a Zeiss Axio Imager 2 Microscopes (Carl Zeiss, Germany), and quantified using automated TissueQuest Analysis software (TissueGnositics USA, Ltd, Tarzana, CA). Total PLA activities in the regions of interest (ROIs) were divided by total DAPI-positive cell number in the ROI to obtain mean PLA activity/cell. The specificity of anti-N-GABA_B1R (Abcam ab55051) was demonstrated by the lack of PLA signaling in the ^PTGGABA_B1R^−/− mice (Fig. 3a).

Immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting

Membrane proteins (400 μg) extracted from human parathyroid adenoma were immunoprecipitated with 7.5 μg of mouse monoclonal antibody against CaSR C-terminal tail (1C7E4–1B, CKSNSEDRFPQPERQKQ) or guinea pig polyclonal antibody against GABA_B1R or pre-immune guinea pig IgG as described previously⁴. Immunoprecipitated and naive membrane protein (50 μg) were electrophoresed on polyacrylamide gels, transferred onto PDVF membrane, and immunoblotted with a guinea pig polyclonal antibody against GABABR1 (1:1000 dilution) or a rabbit polyclonal antibody against CaSR (VA609; 1:1000 dilution) as previously described^4,5. Protein reactivity was detected using the Clarity Western ECL substrate (BIO-RAD laboratories, Inc., Hercules, CA) and visualized by a LAS4000 imaging system (Fujifilm Life Science, Stamford, CT). The data presented are representative of 4 independent experiments.

Total proteins (50 μg) extracted from mouse hippocampus and PTGs were immunoblotted with a custom-made rabbit anti-CaSR antibody (1 μg/ml, AB1511, Millipore Corp. USA), a guinea pig anti-GABA_B1R, or a rabbit anti-GAD1/2 antibody (1 μg/ml, Cat.Ab49832, Abcam), and/or corresponding horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated antibodies (2 μg/ml) using standard blotting techniques^4,5. Uncrooped

Uncropped immunoblots for Figures 1d and 3c and Extended Data Figure 1 are shown in Supplementary Figures 6, 7, and 8, respectively.

Microscopic FRET measurements of G-protein activation

FRET experiments were performed as previously described⁴⁵. In brief, cells grown on coverslips were maintained in HEPES buffer (137 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 0.25 mM CaCl₂, 1 mM MgCl₂, 20 mM HEPES, 0.1% (w/v) bovine serum albumin (BSA), pH 7.4) at room temperature and placed on a Zeiss inverted microscope (Axiovert 200) equipped with an oil immersion 60X objective and a dual emission photometric system (TILL Photonics). Samples were excited with a xenon lamp from a polychrome V (TILL Photonics). FRET was monitored as a YFP/CFP emission intensity ratio upon excitation at 436 nm (filter 436 ± 10 nm and a beam splitter dichroic long-pass (DCLP) 460 nm). The emission fluorescence intensities were determined at 535 ± 15 nm (YFP) and 480 ± 20 nm (CFP) with a beam splitter DCLP of 505 nm. The FRET ratio for single experiments was corrected according to equation (1) as previously detailed⁴⁵:

$$Ratio\left(\frac{F_{YFP}}{F_{CFP}}\right)=\frac{F_{YFP}^{ex436/em535}-a\times F_{CFP}^{\frac{ex436}{em480}}-b\times F_{YFP}^{ex500/em535}}{F_{CFP}^{ex436/em480}}$$ (1)

Where $F_{YFP}^{ex436/em535}$ and $F_{CFP}^{ex436/em480}$ represent respectively the emission intensities of YFP or Venus (recorded at 535 nm) and CFP or Cerulean (recorded at 480 nm) upon excitation at 436 nm; a and b represent correction factors for the bleed-through of CFP or cerulean into the 535 nm channel (a = 0.40) and the cross-talk due to the direct YFP or Venus excitation by light at 436 nm (b = 0.07). $F_{YFP}^{ex500/em535}$ represents the emission intensity of YFP or Venus (recorded at 535 nm) upon direct excitation at 500 nm. To ensure that CFP- and YFP-labeled molecule expression were similar in examined cells, we performed experiments in cells displaying comparable fluorescence levels. The means of intermolecular FRET experiments were calculated according to equation (2) to normalize for different expression levels of CFP and YFP molecules:

$$N_{FRET}=\frac{FRETratio}{\sqrt{F_{CFP}^{ex436/em480}\times F_{YFP}^{ex500/em535}}}$$ (2)

To determine agonist induced changes in FRET, cells were continuously superfused with the HEPES buffer and the agonist was applied using a computer-assisted, solenoid-valve controlled rapid superfusion device (ALA-VM8, ALA Scientific Instruments; solution exchange 5 to 10 ms). Signals detected by avalanche photodiodes were digitalized using an analog to digital converter (Digidata1322A, Axon Instruments) and stored on PC computer using Clampex 9.0 (Axon Instruments). Data were analyzed using OriginPro 8.0 and plotted in GraphPad Prism 7.0.

Photobleaching experiments

FRET between CFP and YFP in cells expressing the receptor constructs was also determined by donor recovery after acceptor bleaching⁴⁵. The emission intensity of CFP was first recorded at 436-nm excitation (CFP_before), followed by direct illumination of YFP at 500 nm for 3–5 min. Subsequently, the emission intensity of CFP was recorded again (CFP_after). FRET efficiency was calculated according to equation (3).

$$FRETefficiency=1-\frac{CF{P}_{before}}{CF{P}_{after}}$$ (3)

Serum chemistries

Blood was drawn from mice by cardiac puncture under anesthesia by isoflurane inhalation, followed by tissue harvest. Serum samples were prepared by centrifugation and analyzed for total serum calcium by an automated ACE Alera Clinical Chemistry bioanalyzer (Alfa Wassermann, Inc, West Caldwell, NJ, USA) and serum PTH by commercial intact PTH ELISA kit (Immutopics, San Clemente, Ca, USA), following manufacturer instructions.

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analyses for gene expression

Total RNA was isolated from human adenomas and microdissected mouse PTGs devoid of thyroid and fibrous tissues by an RNA STAT60 kit (Amsbio LLC, Cambridge, MA), reverse transcribed by M-MLV reverse transcriptase into cDNA, and subjected to qPCR⁴⁰ for gene expression profiles using commercial TaqMan-based sets of primers and probes (Applied Biosystems). Expression levels of genes of interest were presented as the percentage of level of the mitochondrial ribosomal protein L19.

Skeletal analyses by micro-computed tomography (μCT)

To compare bone mineral content and structural parameters, we performed micro–computed tomography (μCT) scans at two sites: distal femur for trabecular (Tb) bone and tibio-fibular junction (TFJ) for cortical (Ct) bone as described³⁵. Briefly, femurs and tibias were isolated, fixed in 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin (PBF) for 24 hours, stored in 70% ethanol, and scanned by a SCANCO viva CT 40 scanner (SCANCO Medical AG, Basserdorf, Switzerland) with 10.5 μm voxel size and 55-kV X-ray energy. For Tb bone in the distal femoral metaphysis, 100 serial cross-sectional scans (1.05 mm) of the secondary spongiosa were obtained from the end of the growth plate extending proximally. For Ct bone, 100 serial cross-sections (1.05 mm) of the tibia were obtained from the TFJ extending proximally. A threshold of 420 mg hydroxyapatite (HA)/mm³ was applied to segment total mineralized bone matrix from soft tissue. Linear attenuation was calibrated using a μCT HA phantom. 3-D image reconstructions and analyses were performed using the manufacturer’s software to obtain the following structural parameters: Tb tissue volume (Tb.TV), Tb bone volume (Tb.BV), Tb bone fraction (Tb.BV/TV, %), Tb number (Tb.N), Tb connectivity density (Tb.CD), Tb thickness (Tb.Th), Tb spacing (Tb.Sp), Ct tissue volume (Ct.TV), and Ct bone volume (Ct.BV).

Live cell cAMP signaling

PTH-C1 cells were transiently transfected with CaSR, GABA_B1R and the intramolecular cAMP FRET sensor (epac1-CFP/YFP) using lipofecatamine 3000 (Thermofischer). Cells were next plated on 25 mm glass coverslips coated with collagen and mounted in Attofluor cell chambers (Life Technologies), maintained in HEPES buffer and transferred on a Nikon Ti-E equipped with an oil immersion 40× N.A. 1.30 Plan Apo objective and a moving stage (Nikon Corporation). FRET measurement was monitored as previously describe (NCB 2017). Cells pretreated with cholera toxin (CTx) for 1 hour to elevate basal cAMP then changes in cAMP dynamics were monitored following the addition of CaSR and/or GABA_B1R ligands.

Inositiol Phosphate signaling

Levels of total inositol phosphates (InsPs) including all isomers of InsP₃, InsP₂, and InsP₁ as an index of PLC activation were determined in HEK-293 cells transiently transfected with CaSR and GABA_B1R cDNA individually or in combination after incubating the cells with different [Ca²⁺]_e (0.5–10 mM) with or without baclofen (300 μM) for 60 min as reported previously⁵. Prelabeling of membrane polyphosphoinositides with ³H-myoinositol was done before stimulating the cells.

Detection of GABA by mass spectrometry

(1) Sample preparation. Human PTG and mice brain tissues were homogenized individually by RIPA buffer (20 mM Tris-HCL pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 1% Triton-X100, 1% sodium deoxycholate, 0.1% SDS) with freshly added PMSF to 1 mM and with freshly added aprotinin and leupeptin to 5 μg/ml just before use. Additionally, 50 μΜ d₅-glutamic acid and 50 μΜ pyridoxal 5′-phosphate hydrate were added into the lysate to synthesize d₅-GABA. Proteins were precipitated by acetonitrile with 0.5% TFA. The supernatant was dried in vacuum and resuspended in acetonitrile and water (50:50, v/v) for C18-desalting. Finally, the desalted product was dried and stored at −80°C until the LC-MS/MS analysis. (2) GABA measurement by using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Calibration standards for GABA were prepared at concentrations of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,500 nM in acetonitrile and water (50:50, v/v). Quality control (QC) samples were prepared independently, including low, middle, and high concentrations (10, 500, and 5,000 nM). All samples were stored at −80°C until the LC-MS/MS analysis. Liquid chromatography was achieved by an ACQUITY UPLC System (Waters) and separation was carried out using a BEH HILIC column (2.1×50 mm, 1.7 μm) at 30 °C. Acetonitrile was used as the mobile phase, and 0.3% formic acid in water was used as the aqueous phase. The flow rate was set at 0.4 mL/min, and the injection volume was 5 μL. The UPLC system was coupled to a Waters Xevo TQD mass spectrometer (Waters). The ESI mode was positive ionization with following parameters: capillary voltage, 3.05 kV; nebulizer gas (N₂) flow rate, 10.8 L/min; gas temperature, 450°C. A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mode was employed to identify and quantify GABA (transition: m/z 104.02 [M+H]⁺→87.1, collision energy 8 V) and IS (d₅-GABA, transition: m/z 110.02 [M+H]⁺→93.1). The Q1 mass analyzer first filters the parental ion of GABA (m/z 104.02). Only ions whose m/z value is 104.02 enter the collision cell for fragmentation. The transition of m/z 104.02 →87.05 is followed for GABA detection and quantitation in the Q3 mass analyzer. All data were analyzed using the MassLynx software package (Waters).

Statistics

Comparisons between groups were subjected to statistical analysis using 2-tails Student’s t test for two groups or one-way or two-way ANOVA followed by Sidak’s for multiple comparisons using Prism 8 (GraphPad Software, Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA). Animal, organ culture, and cultured cell sample sizes were determined by a power analysis using the following parameters: standard deviation=5–10% depending on the assay, two-sided test, p value=0.05, power of the test=0.8. Data from two groups were represented as mean ± standard error of the mean (s.e.m.). Significance was assigned for P-value < 0.05.

Extended Data

Extended Data Fig. 1: Expression of CaSR and GABA_B1R in mouse and human PTGs.

(a, b) Membrane protein lysates (50 μg/lane) (a) and tissue sections (b) of PTGs from ^PTGGABA_B1R^+/+ (control) and ^PTGGABA_B1R^−/− (KO) mice were probed with anti-GABA_B1R-C antibody for expression of GABA_B1R as described in On-line Methods. In panel (a), a dominant ≈100 kD (unglycosylated) GABA_B1R and minor ≈130 kD and ≈150 kD (presumably glycosylated) were detected in the control, but not KO, PTGs. n = 2 batches of PTGs from a total of 20 mice/genotype. (c, d) Membrane protein lysates (50 μg/lane) (c) and tissue sections (d) of PTGs from ^PTGCaSR^+/+ (control) and ^PTGCaSR^−/− (KO) mice were probed with anti-N-CaSR (VA609) antibody for expression of CaSR. In panel (c), a dominant ≈120 kD (unglycosylated) CaSR and ≈140 kD and ≈160 kD glycosylated (arrowheads) and larger aggregates were detected in the control, but not KO PTGs. n = 2 batches of PTGs with a total of 16 mice/genotype. Panels b and d show brown DAB staining, indicating immunoreactivity of GABAB1R and CaSR, respectively, and blue/purple hematoxylin counterstaining in mouse PTGs. (e) Membrane proteins (400 μg) extracted from human parathyroid adenomas were subjected to immunoprecipitation (Imppt) with CaSR antibodies or non-immune IgG and immunoblotted (IB) along with non-Imppt controls (input, 50 μg) with either CaSR or GABA_B1R antibodies. Left panels demonstrate the ability of CaSR antibody to pull down ≈140 and 150 kD glycosylated CaSR (arrowheads) and large aggregates (*) along with ≈100 kD unglycosylated and ≈130 kD glycosylated GABA_B1R (open arrow). Two right panels demonstrate the ability of GABA_B1R antibody to pull down ≈100 kD unglycosylated and ≈130 kD glycosylated GABA_B1R (open arrow) along with the ≈140 kD glycosylated CaSR (arrowhead) and large aggregates (*). n = 3 human PTG lysates.

Extended Data Fig. 2: Expression of GAD1/2 and GABA in mouse and/or human PTGs.

(a,b) Sections of PTGs from control (Cont) and GAD1/2-DKO mice were probed with anti-GAD1/2 antibody and FITC-conjugated secondary Ab and counterstained with blue fluorescent DAPI nuclear dye (a) or probed with anti-GABA2 antibody and HRP-conjugated secondary Ab and counterstained with hematoxylin (b) as described in On-line Methods. Inserts show digitally enlarged views of the white box areas. n = 12 PTGs from 6 mice for each genotype. (c) PTG sections from B6:Wt mice (top panels) and patients with 1° HPT (bottom panels) were probed with anti-GABA antibody (left panels) or non-immune IgG, followed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated secondary Ab. For panels (b) and (c), brown immunoreactivity signals were developed by immersing the sections with 3,3’-diaminobenzidine (DAB) substrate and counterstained with blue hematoxylin as described in On-line Methods. n = 8 PTGs from 4 mice and 4 human PTGs.

Extended Data Fig. 3: PTH secretion from PTGs lacking Gq and G₁₁ or CaSR.

Secretory properties of PTGs from 8-wk-old male ^PTGGq^−/−//G₁₁^+/+ (n = 12 pairs PTGs from 12 mice), ^PTGGq^−/−//G₁₁^+/– (n =15 pairs PTGs from 15 mice), and ^PTGGq^−/−//G₁₁^−/− (n =3 pairs PTGs from 3 mice) mice, which carry PTG-specific Gnaq and/or germ-line Gna11 gene KO alleles, 4-wk-old ^PTCCaSR^−/− mice, which carry PTG-specific Casr gene KO alleles (n =5 pairs PTGs from 5 mice), and control littermates (n =7 pairs PTGs from 7 mice), which carry floxed-Gnaq and wild-type Gna11 without Cre expression, were assessed by incubating the glands with a series of media containing increasing [Ca²⁺] (from 0.5 to 3 mM). PTH secretory rates were normalized to the rate of basal secretion rate at 0.5 mM Ca²⁺ to calculate the Ca²⁺ set-points, indicated by vertical dashed lines. Mean ± s.e.m.

Extended Data Fig. 4: Effect of pertussis toxin on PTH secretion from PTGs.

PTGs (2 per group) from wild-type C57/B6 were sequentially incubated with increasing [Ca²⁺]_e from 0.5 to 2.0 mM (1 hr for each concentration) in the presence of vehicle (0.1% DMSO) or baclofen (Bac, 300 μM) with or without preincubation with pertussis toxin (PTx, 100 μg/ml, 3 hrs). Mean ± s.e.m. of n pairs of PTGs from n mice as indicated. P values vs Vehicle controls were assessed by 2-way ANOVA with Sidak’s test.

Extended Data Figure 5. Signaling responses to Ca²⁺ and/or baclofen in parathyroid-derived PTH-C1 cells.

(a) Time-course of Gq activation. Representative FRET experiments showing stimulatory effect of Ca²⁺ (10 mM) which is suppressible by baclofen (300 μM) in PTH-C1 cells coexpressing the FRET-based Gq sensor (Gq^Turq/YFP) without (−) or with (+) coexpression of recombinant (Recom) CaSR and GABA_B1R. The change in FRET (N_FRET) was calculated according to equation #2 (see On-line Methods) with the initial value at t = 0 set to 1. Similar results were obtained from 2 independent experiments. (b) Averaged time courses of cAMP in PTH-C1 cells expressing CaSR without (control in blue) or with pretreatment with cholera toxin (CTx in black). Cells were continuously perfused with buffer without or with extracellular Ca²⁺ or forskolin (horizontal bar). Data were normalized to control with the initial value at t = 0 set to 1 and represent the mean ± SEM of n = 45 cells from 3 separate experiments