Calcium regulates stanniocalcin mRNA levels in primary cultured rainbow trout corpuscles of Stannius

Abstract

Stanniocalcin (STC) is an inhibitor of gill calcium transport produced by the corpuscles of Stannius (CS), endocrine glands in bony fishes. In previous studies we have described how STC secretion is regulated by calcium both in vitro and in vivo, using rainbow trout as a model system. In this report we have examined the effects of calcium on STC mRNA levels in primary cultured trout CS cells. The results show that message levels are positively regulated by extracellular calcium concentrations within the physiological range. The calcium response was also temporally-related as more prolonged exposures tended to have greater effects. Similar concentrations of magnesium had no effect on message levels. This represents another level at which calcium regulates the CS cell, in addition to its established effects on STC synthesis and secretion. The results are discussed in relation to the other known calciotropic hormones, calcitonin and parathyroid hormone.