Klotho - a new regulator of mineral homeostasis

Research on the regulation of mineral homeostasis have been continuing for the decades, with an effect of establishing the impression that the governing mechanisms are already fairly well known and understood. Revealing of the molecular mechanism of action of the Klotho protein, forced us to revise this knowledge. It is known already that Kloto is a unique regulatory efector playing key role in reversing the imbalanced extracellular Ca++ concentrations, by affecting the intensity of the transepithelial transport and modulation of the parathormone excretion. In cooperation with the phosphaturic hormone - Fgf23 it regulates calcium concentration by suppression of 1,25(OH),D synthesis, and reabsorption of phosphate in a distal convoluted part of nephron. Acting through these mechanisms Klotho takes part in the regulation of the mineral homeostasis of cerebrospinal fluid, blood and body fluids acting on the choroid plexus, parathyroid glands and distal Convoluted nephrons. In that way Klotho becomes one of the main players in a complex and multilevel system of maintaining the mineral homeostasis of the organism. Pol J Endocrinol 2009; 60 (2): 104-109)