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The mouse osteocalcin gene cluster contains three genes with two separate spatial and temporal patterns of expression.

Osteocalcin is the most abundant noncollagenous protein of bone. Here we report that the mouse genome contains an osteocalcin cluster composed of three genes arranged within a 23-kilobase span of genomic DNA. We named them osteocalcin gene 1 (OG1), osteocalcin gene 2 (OG2), and osteocalcin-related gene (ORG) in order from the 5' end to the 3' end of the cluster. Hybridization of polymerase chain reaction-amplified cDNAs with specific oligonucleotides and RNase protection assays showed that OG1 and OG2 are expressed only in bone, whereas ORG is transcribed in kidney but not in bone. Furthermore, during embryogenesis, OG1 and OG2 begin to be expressed at day 15.5, while ORG is transcribed as early as day 10.5. The protein encoded by ORG has a similar pattern of expression and identical structural features to nephrocalcin, a calcium-binding protein partially purified from kidney that plays a role in calcium reabsorption and in prevention of nephrolithiasis. The nephrocalcin gene has not been cloned in any species; we propose that ORG is the mouse nephrocalcin gene. The existence of several osteocalcin or osteocalcin-related sequences is not restricted to mouse but is present in every species we examined.

Age Factors↗

Development and evaluation of an osteocalcin chemiluminoimmunoassay.

We developed a competitive chemiluminoimmunoassay of osteocalcin that is similar to radioimmunoassay but uses acridinium-ester-labeled antigen instead of 125I-labeled osteocalcin; a second antibody immobilized on plastic beads is used to separate free and bound fractions. There was good correlation of the new chemiluminoimmunoassay (y) with a polyclonal antiserum (R102) radioimmunoassay (x) used in many previous clinical studies (r = 0.96, y = 0.968x + 2.69, Sy/x = 0.029, n = 86). The new assay recognized both the intact and the small fragment of osteocalcin in plasma and detected decreases of them (total, approximately 47%) after a 24-h infusion of parathyroid hormone. Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism had increased concentrations of intact osteocalcin. Children had higher concentrations of osteocalcin than adults did. Healthy women had greater osteocalcin concentrations at ages 50-70 years than earlier. Inverse correlations of bone mineral density and osteocalcin were found in healthy women and in women with osteoporosis.

Adult↗

Osteocalcin production in vivo and in vitro after 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol stimulation comparison of different assays.

The study was designed to assess the sensitivity of three commercial assays (which differ in methodology, standard and antibodies) for osteocalcin, used for detecting changes in osteocalcin secretion induced by calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) in vivo and in vitro. Osteocalcin levels were determined in serum samples of 10 osteoporotic women after short term calcitriol treatment, and in the culture medium of human osteoblast-like cells (n = 22) after 48 h calcitriol exposure. All assays displayed similar sensitivity in detecting osteocalcin production in vivo after a 1 microgram daily dose of calcitriol. A novel IRMA (CIS), claimed to detect intact osteocalcin, showed higher osteocalcin values than the other assays, and in vitro showed the best sensitivity; it provides an appropriate index of the osteocalcin synthetic activity of cultured human osteoblasts.

Aged↗

Effect of different storage temperatures, sample collection procedures and immunoassay methods on osteocalcin measurement.

The apparent instability of measured osteocalcin has been reported as method-dependent and related to preanalytical variables such as storage temperature, and the use of anticoagulants and protease inhibitors. The aim of this study was to determine a sample collection procedure which minimised osteocalcin degradation. Blood samples from five normal individuals were collected with or without anticoagulants and protease inhibitors (heparin, EDTA, or heparin and aprotinin) and stored at 4 degrees C, -20 degrees C or -70 degrees C for up to 7 days, 28 days and 90 days respectively. Osteocalcin was measured by both a monoclonal EIA specific for intact osteocalcin and a bovine polyclonal RIA. Osteocalcin concentrations in serum and EDTA-treated samples significantly decreased by 40% (P < 0.001) with the ELISA and 72% (P < 0.001) with the RIA after 7 days storage at 4 degrees C. Similar falls were documented in these samples when stored at -20 degrees C and -70 degrees C and measured by the ELISA. Minimal changes in osteocalcin immunoreactivity were observed in either assay when heparin-treated plasma with or without aprotinin was stored at -20 degrees C or -70 degrees C for up to 90 days. The apparent instability of measured osteocalcin can be minimised using these conditions.

Adult↗

Effect of short-term glucocorticoids on serum osteocalcin in healthy young men.

Young healthy men were studied during brief treatment with prednisone to determine the rapidity of the effects of glucocorticoids on serum osteocalcin. Seven subjects were given 60 mg of prednisone orally at 8 a.m. on 5 consecutive days. Serum osteocalcin fell to 68% of the pretreatment level within 24 hours after the first dose was administered (p less than 0.01) and reached a nadir of 37% of baseline between 48 and 96 hours after treatment was begun (p less than 0.005). When prednisone was discontinued, serum osteocalcin returned promptly to pretreatment levels. Similar, though less marked, effects were found with lower doses of prednisone. Serum osteocalcin was not different from baseline after 5 mg of prednisone in five subjects, but after treatment of five subjects each with 10, 15, or 20 mg of prednisone, osteocalcin levels were 83%, 78%, and 74% of baseline, respectively (p less than 0.05). Serum osteocalcin levels fell rapidly with glucocorticoid administration, indicating that the effects of glucocorticoids on bone cells may be demonstrated long before clinical evidence of osteoporosis becomes apparent.

Adult↗

Role of the negative glucocorticoid regulatory element in glucocorticoid repression of the human osteocalcin promoter.

In osteoblast-like cells in culture, the human osteocalcin gene promoter basal activity is repressed by glucocorticoids, reflecting the repression of serum osteocalcin concentrations noted in syndromes of glucocorticoid excess. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3], the active hormonal form of vitamin D, induces the osteocalcin promoter through a vitamin D response element (VDRE), and glucocorticoids also repress the vitamin D-induced promoter. This study addresses the role of a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binding site overlapping the TATA box of the osteocalcin promoter, which had been proposed as a negative glucocorticoid response element (nGRE), invoking a steric interference mechanism of glucocorticoid repression. Confirmation of the role of the nGRE in regulating basal activity was obtained using promoter constructs containing a TATA box swap. However, a minor component of repression of 1,25-(OH)2D3 induced activity remained in the absence of the nGRE. In addition, glucocorticoid repression of the human osteocalcin promotor was shown to be cell line specific. This result is not compatible with a simple model of repression and suggests the existence of unidentified cell-specific factors that are involved in the repression event. Repression of the osteocalcin promoter was compatible with a composite model involving both the nGRE site and glucocorticoid regulation of factors that bind the vitamin D response element.

Base Sequence↗

A comparison of the effects of parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-related protein on osteocalcin in the rat.

We compared the effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH1-34) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrp1-34) on osteocalcin release in the isolated rat hindlimb and in intact and thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats. PTH1-34 suppressed osteocalcin release from perfused rat hindquarters, while PTHrp1-34 had no effect on osteocalcin release, despite comparable stimulation of cAMP production. Similarly, serum osteocalcin declined in the intact and TPTX animals by 5 h after a single dose of PTH1-34, while there was no response to PTHrp1-34. Chronic administration of PTH1-34 or PTHrp1-34 produced comparable hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia in sham-operated and TPTX animals. Chronic PTH1-34 administration produced significant increases in serum osteocalcin both in the sham-operated rats and in the TPTX animals. However, in animals chronically treated with PTHrp1-34, there was no change at any time point in osteocalcin in either sham-operated or TPTX rats. These differences could be inherent or merely due to potency differences between the two peptides.

Analysis of Variance↗

Ultrastructural immunodetection of osteopontin and osteocalcin as major matrix components of renal calculi.

The organic matrix of renal calculi has long been considered to influence the crystal growth that occurs in these pathological mineral deposits. Recent advances in characterizing individual organic moieties from mineralized tissues in general and the combined use of antibodies raised against these molecules with different immunocytochemical approaches have allowed their precise distribution to be visualized in a variety of normal and pathological mineralized tissues. The present ultrastructural study reports on the epithelial expression and extracellular localization of several noncollagenous proteins in rat and human kidney stones using high-resolution colloidal-gold immunocytochemistry. To this end, we have examined in an ethylene glycol-induced calcium oxalate model of urolithiasis in the rat, and in human kidney stones, the distribution of certain noncollagenous and plasma proteins known to accumulate in bone and other mineralized tissues that include osteopontin, osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein, albumin, and alpha 2HS-glycoprotein. Of these proteins, osteopontin (uropontin) and osteocalcin (or osteocalcin-related gene/protein) were prominent constituents of the calcium oxalate-associated crystal "ghosts" found in the nuclei, lamellae, and striations of the organic matrix of lumenal renal calculi in the rat and of small crystal ghosts found within epithelial cells. Immunocytochemical labeling for both proteins of the content of secretory granules in tubular epithelial cells from treated rats, together with labeling of a similarly textured organic material in the tubular lumen, provides evidence for cosecretion of osteopontin and osteocalcin by epithelial cells, their transit through the urinary filtrate, and ultimately their incorporation into growing renal calculi. In normal rat kidney, osteopontin was localized to the Golgi apparatus of thin loop of Henle cells. In human calcium oxalate monohydrate stones, osteopontin was similarly detected in the lamellae and striations of the organic matrix. Based on these data, it is proposed that during urolithiasis, secretion of osteopontin (uropontin) and osteocalcin (or osteocalcin-related gene/protein), and the subsequent incorporation of these proteins into kidney stone matrix, may influence the nucleation, growth processes, aggregation, and/or tubular adhesion of renal calculi in mammalian kidneys.

Animals↗

Serum N-terminal osteocalcin is a good indicator for estimating responders to hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women.

To estimate the response to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) by bone metabolic markers, 36 patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis or osteopenia were studied to assess the correlation between percent baseline changes in lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) after 12 months and those in various bone metabolic markers after 3, 6, and 12 months of HRT. All the patients were treated with 0.625 mg of conjugated estrogen and 2.5 mg of medroxyprogesterone per day and continued for 12 months. BMD was significantly increased up to 4.19 +/- 0.87% after 6 months and 4.93 +/- 1.27% after 12 months of HRT (p = 0.0001 by analysis of variance). In accordance with this, changes in the levels of osteocalcin (p = 0.041), alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.0001), N-terminal osteocalcin (p = 0.0001), urinary excretion of pyridinoline/Cr (p = 0.0001), and deoxypyridinoline/Cr (p = 0.0001) were significantly decreased, respectively. Among these bone metabolic markers, only the change in the serum N-terminal osteocalcin at 3 months (r = 0.557, p = 0.0022), at 6 months (r = 0.470, p = 0.0184), and at 12 months (r = 0.545, p = 0.0061) significantly correlated with the change in BMD 12 months after HRT. The elution profiles of immunoreactive osteocalcin-related molecules in serum fractionated by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography revealed that the N-terminal fragment as well as the intact osteocalcin molecule decreased after 3 months of HRT. These results demonstrate that N-terminal osteocalcin is a suitable predictor for estimating good responders to HRT in postmenopausal women.

Analysis of Variance↗

Osteocalcin cluster: implications for functional studies.

Osteocalcin is a skeletal member of the family of extracellular mineral binding Gla protein. Osteocalcin is synthesized only by the osteoblast and it is secreted into the bone matrix at the time of bone mineralization. The mineral binding properties of osteocalcin as well as its spatial and temporal pattern of expression suggest that it plays a role during bone mineralization, however until now its biological function is unclear. To understand osteocalcin function during skeletogenesis we mutated the two osteocalcin genes by homologous recombination in embryonic stem (ES) cells. Eight targeted clones were identified by Southern analysis using external probes. One of these clones contributed to the germ line of mouse chimera. Interbreeding of heterozygotes is currently in progress. Mutant mice will be useful to understand osteocalcin function in vivo.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of recombinant osteocalcin fusion protein expressed in Escherichia coli.

Human osteocalcin (hOC) is a 49-amino-acid peptide produced mainly by bone osteoblasts. The amount of hOC in the circulation reflects the status of bone metabolism and it is used to monitor various bone-related diseases. The aim of this study was to produce recombinant human osteocalcin (rhOC) in Escherichia coli and use it for designing new osteocalcin fluorescence immunoassays. Recombinant DNA technology was used to fuse synthetic hOC coding sequences to an affinity handle system based on glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene. GST-rhOC fusion protein was produced in a bacterial intracellular expression system mainly in a soluble form. The affinity-purified fusion protein was cleaved with activated protease factor X releasing the rhOC portion. The structure of rhOC was confirmed by mass spectrometry and amino acid sequencing. The fusion protein and its proteolytic cleavage product proved to be immunoreactive as shown by Western blotting analysis and by a new osteocalcin immunoassay based on time-resolved fluorescence. When osteocalcin was tested for its ability to bind to hydroxyapatite, there were no differences between the recombinant forms and native human osteocalcin purified from bone, suggesting that the Gla residues might be important only in oriented high-affinity binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Protein kinase C does not mediate the inhibitory action of lead on vitamin D3-dependent production of osteocalcin in osteoblastic bone cells.

The level of osteocalcin in serum is lower in lead-intoxicated children than in their normal counterparts. To explain this clinical observation, we investigated the mechanism of action of lead on vitamin D3-dependent osteocalcin production. Lead (5-20 microM) blocked the stimulating effects of vitamin D3 on osteocalcin production in cultured rat osteosarcoma cells (ROS 17/2.8). It is often suggested that activation of protein kinase C (PKC) is a critical mediator of the toxic actions of lead. Treatment of ROS cells with Gö6976, an inhibitor of PKC alpha and beta isozymes, produced similar effects as lead on vitamin D3-dependent osteocalcin production, while activation of PKC by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA) did not reverse or mimic this effect of lead. Thus activation of PKC is not consistent with the actions of lead on vitamin D3-dependent osteocalcin production. Measurement of PKC enzyme activity showed that 10 microM lead treatment does not activate or inhibit the activity of PKC in ROS cells. Western blot analysis indicated that lead treatment does not translocate PKC alpha, beta, or zeta from cytosol to membrane. Therefore, we concluded that PKC does not mediate the cellular toxicity of lead on vitamin D3-dependent osteocalcin production.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Serum osteocalcin levels in diabetes mellitus: analysis of the type of diabetes and microvascular complications.

Recent studies indicate that serum levels of osteocalcin, a 49-aminoacid bone matrix protein, are a biochemical marker of bone formation. In order to study bone metabolism in diabetes mellitus, in 28 patients with Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, in 38 patients with Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and two control groups, matched for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients, respectively, serum levels of osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone and 25 hydroxy vitamin D were measured by radioimmunoassay. Whereas in Type 1 diabetic patients and control subjects serum levels of osteocalcin and 25 hydroxy vitamin D were not statistically different, serum osteocalcin and 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels were significantly decreased in Type 2 diabetic patients when compared with corresponding control subjects (p less than 0.03 and p less than 0.001, respectively). Independent of the type of diabetes, serum parathyroid hormone levels were comparable in diabetic patients and matched control subjects. Serum osteocalcin levels were significantly lower in Type 1 diabetic patients with retinopathy and/or proteinuria than in Type 1 diabetic patients without microangiopathy (p less than 0.05). Whereas serum parathyroid hormone levels in Type 2 diabetic patients with retinopathy and/or proteinuria were significantly increased (p less than 0.02), 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels were decreased (p less than 0.02) when compared with Type 2 diabetic patients without microangiopathy. Our data give evidence of a vitamin D deficiency and a decreased bone formation in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. In Type 1 diabetes mellitus bone formation as reflected by serum osteocalcin levels is influenced by the presence or absence of microangiopathic complications.

Adult↗

Oral contraception affects osteocalcin serum profiles in young women.

The serum concentrations of osteocalcin (bone Gla protein) were followed by continuous blood sampling for 24 h in 9 healthy young women before and during treatment with oestrogen/progestogen combinations for oral contraception. There were marked fluctuations during the 24 h sampling period, values ranging from 0.5 to 10.0 ng/ml. Values displayed an apparent circadian rhythm. Daytime values were on average lower than nocturnal concentrations. During treatment with oral contraceptives there was a significant decrease in osteocalcin levels but fluctuations during the 24 h sampling period were still observed. Almost all individual values obtained at 30 min intervals were lower during treatment. For the whole group the mean osteocalcin concentration decreased by 1.4 ng/ml (p less than 0.01) during treatment. In postmenopausal women high serum levels of osteocalcin are supposed to reflect increased bone turnover secondary to enhanced bone resorption. Oestrogens are known to reduce osteocalcin levels and may reduce bone resorption. In healthy young women alternative mechanisms should be considered but the reduced osteocalcin serum levels in this short-term study indicate that oral contraceptive use may influence bone metabolism.

Adult↗

Alcohol decreases serum osteocalcin in a dose-dependent way in normal subjects.

The acute effect of 25 and 50 g of alcohol on the variation in serum osteocalcin, a specific and sensitive marker of bone formation, and on serum cortisol and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH)(1-84) was calculated in 6 normal young adults. They were studied during three periods, each lasting from 4 p.m.-7:30 a.m. Alcohol was ingested between 4:15 and 5 p.m. during period two and three. Blood was taken at 4 p.m. and every 15 minutes from 4:30 til 6 p.m., followed by hourly sampling until 12 p.m. The last blood sample was taken after an overnight fast at 7:30 a.m. Initial and end values before and after alcohol ingestion did not differ significantly from control values. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that 50 g of ethanol decreased serum osteocalcin significantly (P less than 0.02) and increased serum cortisol (P less than 0.05) during the 4-12 p.m. interval. The interaction of 50 g of ethanol on the variation in serum osteocalcin was already significant during the first 2 hours (P less than 0.02), where no significant effect on serum cortisol could be detected. Although insignificant, the same pattern was observed after 25 g of alcohol. There was no significant change in the variation of serum iPTH(1-84) during the 4-6 p.m. after alcohol intake. We conclude that 3-4 drinks of alcohol taken over 45 minutes decreases serum osteocalcin in a dose-dependent way. The time lag between changes in serum osteocalcin and cortisol indicates that the decrease in serum osteocalcin is not related to the increase in serum cortisol.

Adult↗

Increased rat femur osteocalcin mRNA concentrations following in vivo administration of thyroid hormone.

Thyroid hormone has a direct resorptive effect on bone. Thyroid hormone therapy in doses that suppress pituitary TSH production result in a reduction in bone density. Osteocalcin is a bone matrix protein. Serum levels are a sensitive marker for bone turnover and are increased in hyperthyroid patients. In order to establish an animal model to study the effects of thyroid hormone on bone turnover, we measured rat femur osteocalcin mRNA following in vivo administration of thyroid hormone. Young CD rats weighing 60-90 g were given daily ip injections of T3, T4, or saline (control) for 12 days. Blood was obtained for radioimmunoassays, and RNA was extracted from femurs and analyzed by Northern blot using a 60-mer synthetic oligonucleotide probe corresponding to bases 360-420 of rat osteocalcin mRNA, labeled with [32P] ATP by 5'-end-labeling. Serum TSH concentrations were suppressed to subnormal levels by the lowest doses of T3 and T4, and to undetectable levels by the higher doses. Increases in serum T3 and T4 concentrations were proportional to the dose of each administered hormone. T3, 5 and 10 micrograms/100 g body weight, resulted in a 43% and 62% increase in osteocalcin mRNA, respectively. T4, 5, 10, and 20 micrograms/100 g body weight, resulted in a 35%, 47%, and 135% increase in osteocalcin mRNA, respectively. These data demonstrate that in vivo administration of either T4 or T3 to young rats results in a significant dose-dependent increase in femur osteocalcin mRNA concentrations.

Animals↗

Low serum levels of intact osteocalcin in patients with congestive heart failure.

Impaired bone metabolism is a frequent complication following heart transplantation. Little is known, however, about possible alterations in bone turnover of pretransplant patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). We therefore studied biomarkers of bone turnover in 21 male patients with CHF (New York Heart Association [NYHA] classification > II) compared with 21 controls (NYHA classification < II). Biomarkers of bone formation (intact osteocalcin and carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I collagen), markers of bone resorption (N-telopeptide and C-telopeptide of type I collagen), undercarboxylated osteocalcin (an indicator of fracture risk), and concentrations of calcium, parathyroid hormone, and vitamin D metabolites (25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcitriol) were measured in fasting blood samples. Serum levels of intact osteocalcin were 44.5% lower (P < 0.01), and the ratio of undercarboxylated-to-intact osteocalcin was 113% higher (P < 0.01) in the patients in comparison with the controls. Moreover, patients had 34% lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (P < 0.01) and 22% lower calcitriol levels (P < 0.05) than the controls. The bone resorption markers, N-telopeptide and C-telopeptide; the bone formation marker, carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I collagen; parathyroid hormone levels; and albumin-adjusted serum calcium concentrations did not differ between patients and controls (all P values > 0.05). In summary, there were no biochemical signs of enhanced bone collagen resorption in pretransplant CHF patients. However, the low serum levels of intact osteocalcin and the high ratio of undercarboxylated-to-intact osteocalcin deserve further consideration.

Aged↗

Monitoring of bone formation during distraction osteogenesis via osteocalcin: a time sequence study in dogs.

The aim of the current study was to analyze the osteocalcin level and radiographic density during distraction osteogenesis in order to investigate the role of osteocalcin in monitoring bone formation during callus distraction. Lengthening of the right tibia by 25% was performed in 12 beagle dogs by callus distraction after osteotomy and application of a ring fixator. Distraction was started on the 5th postoperative day, with a distraction rate of 0.5 mm twice a day, and was ended after 25 days. Blood samples and x-rays of the callus distraction segment were obtained preoperatively and once a week until day 55 after operation. A digital radiograph analysis system was used to determine the bone density of the callus distraction segments. The serum parameters of osteocalcin were evaluated by radioimmunoassay. The radiographic bone densities during the distraction phase increased during the distraction period and markedly increased during the consolidation period. A similar trend was observed for osteocalcin, whereby the coefficient of correlation between these two parameters was, on average, 0.68 +/- 0.11. However, the radiographic bone density measurements, as well as the osteocalcin levels, showed large variation between different animals. Therefore, our results suggest that valuable information about bone formation during distraction osteogenesis can be obtained via serum osteocalcin levels, even though it seems that time sequence monitoring is more favorable than the determination of absolute values.

Animals↗