Transcription factors that determine parathyroid development power PTH expression.

Studies in patients with hypoparathyroidism and knockout mouse models have revealed key transcriptional cascades central for parathyroid organogenesis. Among the transcription factors essential for parathyroid development, Gata3, GCM2, and MafB, are expressed in the developing parathyroids as well as postnatally, implying that they also regulate parathyroid-specific gene expression and function in the adult. PTH gene expression is determined by transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms. The study by Morito et al. demonstrates that MafB contributes to the stimulation of the parathyroid by hypocalcemia and uremia.