Authors
Eveline J E M Kahlman, Nicole van der Zanden, Ela Zaťková, Caro Bos, Justine Bacchetta, Hendrica Belge, Charlotte M H H T Bootsma-Robroeks, Maria Luisa Brandi, Jean-François Cambier, Éloïse Colliou, Nathalie Demoulin, Lucile Figueres, Laurence Heidet, Giovanna Mantovani, Matko Marlais, John A Sayer, Karl P Schlingmann, European Rare Kidney Diseases Reference Network (ERKNet) and European Reference Network rare endocrine conditions (Endo-ERN) collaborators, Leo A Monnens, Joost G J Hoenderop, Tom Nijenhuis, Jeroen H F de Baaij
Published in
Kidney international reports. Volume 11. Issue 11. Pages 107078. Epub Sep 16, 2026.
Abstract
Heterozygous pathogenic variants in the transcription factor GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) cause hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness and renal dysplasia (HDR) syndrome, also known as Barakat syndrome. Although not typically associated with the disease, hypomagnesemia has been reported. We aimed to determine its prevalence in HDR syndrome and explore how GATA3 impacts magnesium balance.
Retrospective clinical and laboratory data from 66 patients with GATA3 variants were collected via European Rare Kidney Diseases Reference Network (ERKNet) and European Reference Network Rare Endocrine Disorders (Endo-ERN). GATA3 chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing was performed in a mouse distal convoluted tubule cell line and validated using dual promoter luciferase assays in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells.
The cohort was 47% female, median age was 16 years (0-74) and 56% had the full HDR triad. Overall, 25% had hypomagnesemia (Z-score: <-2). Magnesium levels did not correlate with parathyroid hormone (PTH), estimated glomerular filtration rate, genotype, or other phenotypic traits. ChIP-sequencing revealed GATA3 binding to promoters of the magnesium channel Trpm6 and Slc12a3 (encoding the thiazide-sensitive sodium-chloride cotransporter [NCC]). Luciferase assays showed GATA3 increased TRPM6 promoter activity 23-fold and SLC12A3 by 10-fold. Pathogenic GATA3 variants failed to activate these promoters.
Hypomagnesemia is an underrecognized feature of HDR syndrome. Our findings suggest that pathogenic variants of GATA3 impair transcriptional regulation of genes involved in renal magnesium reabsorption. We propose that serum magnesium measurements should be included in the standard clinical workup of patients diagnosed with HDR syndrome.
PMID:
42894630
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 19 Oct 2026.
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