Elevated serum magnesium lowers calcification propensity in Memo1-deficient mice

PLoS One. 2020 Jul 24;15(7):e0236361. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236361. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

MEdiator of cell MOtility1 (MEMO1) is a ubiquitously expressed redox protein involved in extracellular ligand-induced cell signaling. We previously reported that inducible whole-body Memo1 KO (cKO) mice displayed a syndrome of premature aging and disturbed mineral metabolism partially recapitulating the phenotype observed in Klotho or Fgf23-deficient mouse models. Here, we aimed at delineating the contribution of systemic mineral load on the Memo1 cKO mouse phenotype. We attempted to rescue the Memo1 cKO phenotype by depleting phosphate or vitamin D from the diet, but did not observe any effect on survival. However, we noticed that, by contrast to Klotho or Fgf23-deficient mouse models, Memo1 cKO mice did not present any soft-tissue calcifications and displayed even a decreased serum calcification propensity. We identified higher serum magnesium levels as the main cause of protection against calcifications. Expression of genes encoding intestinal and renal magnesium channels and the regulator epidermal growth factor were increased in Memo1 cKO. In order to check whether magnesium reabsorption in the kidney alone was driving the higher magnesemia, we generated a kidney-specific Memo1 KO (kKO) mouse model. Memo1 kKO mice also displayed higher magnesemia and increased renal magnesium channel gene expression. Collectively, these data identify MEMO1 as a novel regulator of magnesium homeostasis and systemic calcification propensity, by regulating expression of the main magnesium channels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcinosis / genetics
  • Calcinosis / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
  • Homeostasis
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / deficiency*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Ion Channels / metabolism
  • Kidney / metabolism*
  • Magnesium / blood*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phosphates / metabolism
  • Vitamin D / metabolism

Substances

  • Fgf23 protein, mouse
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Ion Channels
  • Memo1 protein, mouse
  • Phosphates
  • Vitamin D
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
  • Magnesium

Grants and funding

The study was sponsored by the Swiss National Science Foundation through the program NCCR-Kidney.CH (183774) and by an unrestricted grant from the patient association “Association pour l’Information et la Recherche sur les maladies rénales Génétiques (AIRG)-Suisse”. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.