Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is the second most common endocrine disorder in the western world. While the underlying uncoupling of parathyroid hormone secretion from elevated serum calcium which causes pHPT is understood, the mechanism responsible for the control of parathyroid cell intracellular Ca2+ has not been identified from the many which have been proposed. Lu and colleagues report that L-type voltage operated Ca2+ channels are not involved, and produce strong evidence that a complex of transient receptor potential canonical 1 (TRPC1), Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ modulator 1 (Orai1), and stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is the key mechanism regulating intracellular Ca2+ in human parathyroid cells. Lu, M et al. (2010). Journal of Molecular Endocrinology, 44, 285-294.

DOI: 10.1677/JME-09-0138