A single receptor identical with that from intestine/T47D cells mediates the action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 in HL-60 cells.

Two anti-vitamin D receptor monoclonal antibodies binding to two different epitopes immunoprecipitate 100% of the HL-60 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 binding activity, while another monoclonal antibody specific for the porcine receptor precipitates none. Using a rat receptor cDNA probe, a single mRNA species of 4.6 kb was detected by Northern analysis of HL-60 mRNA. Using a cDNA probe from the cloned rat receptor, 10(7) recombinants from a lambda gt11 cDNA library constructed from mRNA isolated from HL-60 cells was screened yielding two positive clones. These clones had sequences identical with the known human receptor sequence from intestinal/T47D sources. Using PCR technology, the entire sequence of the HL-60 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 receptor was determined. This sequence was found identical with that reported for the human intestinal/T47D cDNA encoding the vitamin D receptor except for a single base. The substitution of this particular base does not alter the amino acid sequence however. Thus, the same receptor likely operates in differentiation and calcium transport functions.

Stabilization of the vitamin D receptor in rat osteosarcoma cells through the action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

A regulatory mechanism for the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in rat osteosarcoma cells (ROS 17/2.8) is stabilization of the receptor through binding of its ligand, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3]. Increased transcription of the gene encoding VDR does not occur upon treatment of these osteoblast-like cells with 1,25-(OH)2D3. When 10 nM 1,25-(OH)2D3 was administered to confluent cultures of ROS 17/2.8 cells, no change in receptor mRNA was detected, as measured by a ribonuclease protection assay. VDR abundance was measured using an immunoradiometric assay at varying time points within a 24-h period after 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment. Receptor protein levels increased rapidly and continued to rise over 24 h. By 2 h, the level of receptor increased 2.5-fold, achieving a maximum level of 8-fold above the baseline at 18 h. The half-life of the receptor protein is 2 h in the absence of hormone, as determined by blockage of translation in cycloheximide-treated cells. In the presence of hormone, however, receptor levels were unchanged for at least 6 h. The administration of 1,25-(OH)2D3 stabilizes the receptor, thereby resulting in its accumulation in ROS 17/2.8 cells.

An enzyme-linked immunoassay for the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor protein.

In this paper, we detail an enzyme-linked immunoassay for the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor protein. The receptor protein of cell and tissue homogenates is bound between two monoclonal antibodies specific for different epitopes on the receptor protein. The first antibody is bound to the well of an ELISA plate and the second is biotinylated. The receptor-antibody complex is detected with avidin-alkaline phosphatase and rho-nitrophenyl phosphate. The amount of receptor in each sample is determined by comparison with a standard curve made from purified receptor protein. This assay is highly sensitive, measuring as little as 2 fmol of receptor, and has an intra-assay coefficient of variation of 6.6% and an interassay coefficient of variation of 13.8%. The assay can be used to measure the receptor from mammalian and avian species and is independent of the presence of hormone. By eliminating the need for a radio-iodinated monoclonal antibody and incorporating the ease of a plate assay, we have a significantly improved method for measuring the vitamin D receptor protein. This paper also presents Western analysis of the antibodies used to demonstrate that they do not recognize other steroid hormone receptors.

Association between intestinal vitamin D receptor, calcium absorption, and serum 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D in normal young and elderly women.

The exact mechanism for the decrease in intestinal calcium absorption with age is not yet understood. A decrease with age in serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) or a decrease in the intestinal vitamin D receptor (VDR) protein concentration are possible causes. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of age on these factors. Fifty-nine young women age 25-35 years were compared with 41 elderly women age 65-83 years who underwent measurements of VDR, calcium absorption using a 20 mg and 100 mg calcium carrier, and calciotropic hormones. Calcium absorption by both tests was lower in the elderly women compared with the young women (p < 0.05). Serum 1,25(OH)2D and duodenal VDR protein concentration were not significantly different between the two age groups. Serum 1,25(OH)2D correlated with the 20 mg calcium absorption test in both young (r = 0.35, p < 0.007) and elderly women (r = 0.58, p < 0.0001) and with the 100 mg calcium absorption in the elderly (r = 0.32; p < 0.05). VDR did not correlate with calcium absorption in young women or elderly women, nor did VDR correlate with serum 1,25(OH)2D and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. In summary, the decrease in calcium absorption cannot be explained by a decrease in intestinal VDR. The correlation between serum 1,25(OH)2D and both calcium absorption tests only accounts for 12-30% of the variance in the age-related change in the calcium absorption tests. Other factors, not yet understood, are responsible for the decline in calcium absorption with age.

Evidence for involvement of 17beta-estradiol in intestinal calcium absorption independent of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 level in the Rat.

The sex steroid 17beta-estradiol (17beta-E2) has a broad range of actions, including effects on calcium and bone metabolism. This study with 3-month-old Brown Norway rats was designed to investigate the role of 17beta-E2 in the regulation of calcium homeostasis. Rats were divided in four groups, sham-operated, ovariectomized (OVX), and OVX supplemented with either a 0.025-mg or 0.05-mg 17beta-E2 pellet implanted subcutaneously. After 4 weeks, in none of the groups was serum calcium, phosphate, or parathyroid hormone altered compared with the sham group, while only in the OVX rats was a significant reduction in urinary calcium found. Bone mineral density and osteocalcin were modified, as can be expected after OVX and 17beta-E2 supplementation. OVX resulted in a nonsignificant increase in serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3). Supplementation with either one of the 17beta-E2 dosages resulted in an 80% reduction of 1,25(OH)2D3 and only a 20% reduction in 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels. OVX, as well as supplementation with 17beta-E2, did not affect serum levels of vitamin D binding protein. As a consequence, the estimated free 1,25(OH)2D3 levels were also significantly decreased in the 17beta-E2-supplemented group compared with the sham and OVX groups. Next, the consequences for intestinal calcium absorption were analyzed by the in situ intestinal loop technique. Although the 1,25(OH)2D3 serum level was increased, OVX resulted in a significant decrease in intestinal calcium absorption in the duodenum. Despite the strongly reduced 1,25(OH)2D3 levels (18. 1 +/- 2.1 and 16.4 +/- 2.2 pmol/l compared with 143.5 +/- 29 pmol/l for the OVX group), the OVX-induced decrease in calcium absorption could partially be restored by supplementation with either 0.025 mg or 0.05 mg of 17beta-E2. None of the treatments resulted in a significant change in calcium handling in the jejunum, although the trends were similar as those observed in the duodenum. 17beta-E2 did not change the VDR levels in both the intestine and the kidney. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that 17beta-E2 is positively involved in intestinal calcium absorption, and the data strengthen the assertion that 17beta-E2 exerts this effect independent of 1,25(OH)2D3. In general, 17beta-E2 not only affects bone turnover but also calcium homeostasis via an effect on intestinal calcium absorption. (J Bone Miner Res 1999;14:57-64)

New 1alpha,25-dihydroxy-19-norvitamin D3 compounds of high biological activity: synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-hydroxymethyl, 2-methyl, and 2-methylene analogues.

New highly active isomers of the natural hormone 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 possessing an exomethylene group at the 2-position were prepared in a convergent manner, starting with (-)-quinic acid and the corresponding (20R)- and (20S)-25-hydroxy Grundmann ketones. These 2-methylene-19-norvitamins were efficiently converted to the 2-methyl and 2-hydroxymethyl derivatives, some of which exhibited pronounced in vivo biological activity. Configurations of the A-ring substituents were determined by 1H NOE difference spectroscopy as well as by spin decoupling experiments. It was established that the bulky methyl and hydroxymethyl substituents at C-2, due to their large conformational free energies, occupy mainly equatorial positions. Additionally, hydroxylation of the C(10)-C(19) double bond in 1alpha,25-(OH)2D3 was performed, resulting in 1alpha,19,25-trihydroxy-10,19-dihydrovitamin D3 derivatives in which the hydroxymethyl substituent at C-10, for steric reasons, is forced to occupy an axial position. In consequence, the vitamin D3 analogues were synthesized in which the 1alpha-hydroxy group, required for biological activity, is almost exclusively axially or equatorially oriented because of stabilization of the single A-ring chair conformations. The relative ability of the synthesized analogues to bind the porcine intestinal vitamin D receptor was assessed and compared with that of the natural hormone. It was established that vitamins possessing the axial orientation of the 1alpha-hydroxy substituent exhibit a significantly increased receptor binding affinity. Compounds with a 2-methylene substituent showed selective calcemic activity profiles, being extremely effective on bone calcium mobilization. 2alpha-Methyl-substituted vitamins proved to be much more active in vivo than the corresponding epimers with 2beta-configuration. All of the 2-substituted vitamins exhibited pronounced HL-60 differentiating activity, those 2alpha-substituted in the 20S-series being especially potent. The present studies imply that the axial orientation of the 1alpha-hydroxy group is necessary for biological activity of vitamin D compounds.

Contribution of several metabolites of the vitamin D analog 20-epi-22-oxa-24a,26a,27a-tri-homo-1,25-(OH)(2) vitamin D(3) (KH 1060) to the overall biological activity of KH1060 by a shared mechanism of action.

The synthetic 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)) analog 20-epi-22-oxa-24a,26a,27a-tri-homo-1,25-(OH)(2)vitamin D(3) (KH1060) is considerably more potent than its cognate hormone. The mechanism of action of KH1060 includes interaction with the vitamin D receptor (VDR). We previously showed that KH1060 increases VDR stability in ROS 17/2.8 osteoblastic cells by inducing a specific conformational change in the VDR. KH1060 is metabolized, both in vivo and in vitro, into several stable products. In the present study, we investigated whether these metabolites might contribute to the increased biological activity of KH1060. We found that the potencies of two of these metabolites, 24a-OH-KH1060 and 26-OH-KH1060, were similar to that of 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) in inducing osteocalcin production by the osteoblast cell line ROS 17/2.8. This report further showed that these metabolites had the same effects as KH1060 on VDR: they increased VDR stability in ROS 17/2.8 cells, while limited proteolytic analysis revealed that they caused a conformational change in the VDR, resulting in an increased resistance against proteolytic cleavage. Furthermore, as shown in gel mobility shift assays, both compounds clearly induced VDR binding to vitamin D response elements. Together, these results show that the potent in vitro activity of KH1060 is not only directed by the effects on the VDR conformation/stabilization of the analog itself, but also by certain of its long-lived metabolites, and emphasizes the importance of detailed knowledge of the metabolism of synthetic hormonal analogs.

Vitamin D-dependency rickets type II: truncated vitamin D receptor in three kindreds.

Fibroblasts from three patients with vitamin D-dependency rickets type II were used to study mutations in the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor responsible for this hereditary disease. Normal human fibroblasts contain 43 +/- 13 fmol receptor/mg protein as determined by immunoradiometric assay and 22 +/- 3 fmol/mg by ligand binding assay. The fibroblasts from the rachitic patients contained no receptor detectable by either method. The 1,25-(OH)2D receptor cDNA for cells from each kindred was produced from total RNA using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction amplification. When these cDNAs were sequenced, it was found that each cell line contained a nucleotide substitution resulting in a stop codon in the coding sequence. The predicted resultant receptor protein is 69 amino acids long in one family, and 148 and 291 amino acids long in two other families. These truncated proteins have little or no 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-binding domain accounting for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D resistance.

Overproduction of rat 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor in insect cells using the baculovirus expression system.

The rat 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] receptor has been expressed at elevated levels in Spodoptera frugiperda cells using the baculovirus expression vector system. The recombinant 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor is full-length, binds 1,25-(OH)2D3, and is recognized by a monoclonal antibody specific for 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor. Densitometric scanning of Coomassie brilliant blue-stained SDS/polyacrylamide gels indicated a recombinant receptor protein level comprising 5% of the total soluble protein from the insect cells. The hydroxylapatite binding assay revealed average levels of 2 nmol of unoccupied 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor per mg of protein in insect cells at 72 hr after infection with recombinant baculovirus. A measure of total 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor using a ligand-independent, immunoradiometric assay disclosed average levels of 2.3 nmol of receptor per mg of protein produced by these same cells. A monoclonal antibody directed against the 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor, and reported to cross-react with this receptor derived from several species, recognized the recombinant rat 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor upon Western analysis. A monoclonal antibody directed specifically against the porcine receptor failed to recognize the recombinant rat 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor protein. The cytosolic preparation of insect cells infected with recombinant baculovirus exhibited an equilibrium dissociation constant of 1 x 10(-11) M as determined by a 1,25-(OH)2D3 saturation analysis plotted by the method of Scatchard. This expression system provides an adequate source from which abundant quantities of 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor can be purified for subsequent x-ray crystallographic analyses.

The avian vitamin D receptors: primary structures and their origins.

cDNA clones encoding Japanese quail chorioallantoic membrane and chicken kidney 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptors were isolated and the total 448-amino acid (aa) sequence was deduced. The sequences of the chicken and quail receptors are identical. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the avian receptors are similar but not identical to the reported rat or human receptor sequences. There is a 78% similarity in the nucleotide sequences and 98.5% and 87.5% similarities in the amino acid sequences of the DNA-binding and ligand-binding domains, respectively. Two avian receptor proteins (58 and 60 kDa) arise from a single mRNA transcript by alternate initiation of translation. The avian 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptors were produced using a bacterial expression system. Form A receptor was expressed from a cloned cDNA that contains the first translation signal (ATG) and corresponds with the 60-kDa avian receptor protein, and form B receptor was initiated from the third ATG on the same mRNA transcript to give rise to the 58-kDa protein. The cysteine-rich DNA-binding domain is almost conserved among human, rat, and avian receptors. The position of the nine cysteines was conserved in all three sequences. The avian receptor differs in the second zinc finger domain, where a methionine replaces a leucine, a serine replaces an asparagine, and a lysine replaces an arginine at aa 77, 83, and 87, respectively, of the avian sequence. The increased length of the avian receptor results from a 20-aa extension of the N-terminal region. RNA hybridization indicates there is a single mRNA species of approximately 2700 bp for both the chicken and quail receptors compared to 4400 bp for the rat transcript. Surprisingly, the translated avian sequence is larger (448 aa) than the 423-aa rat receptor protein. Therefore, our results confirm that despite the difference in molecular mass between different receptor proteins, there is a similarity in gene organization such that the DNA-binding and hormone-binding domains are positionally conserved from the C terminus.

Isolation and expression of human 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 24-hydroxylase cDNA.

Human 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 24-hydroxylase cDNA clones were isolated from an HL-60 cell cDNA library by using a reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction-generated human cDNA probe. The 24-hydroxylase cDNA consists of a 1539-bp open reading frame encoding a 513-amino acid polypeptide. Protein sequence analysis shows that the human 24-hydroxylase is 90% homologous (82% identical) to that of the rat, with 100% homology in the 21-amino acid heme-binding region. Northern blot analysis showed that the 24-hydroxylase cDNA probe hybridized to a 3.4-kb mRNA species. Treatment of HL-60 cells with 0.1 microM 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 for 24 hr produced a 30-fold increase in the 24-hydroxylase mRNA level. This result is consistent with previous studies in the same cell line, in which 24-hydroxylase activity was elevated to a maximum in 24 hr by a similar treatment with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. To verify the identity of these isolated cDNA clones, two polymerase chain reaction-amplified human 24-hydroxylase cDNA fragments containing the entire coding region were used to produce 24-hydroxylase enzyme activity in two genetic expression systems. Transient levels of 24-hydroxylase activity were measured in transfected mammalian COS-1 cells and in recombinant baculovirus-infected Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf21) insect cells.

Partial amino acid sequence of porcine 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography.

Monoclonal antibodies against the porcine 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor were immobilized on Sepharose CL-4B and used to obtain a highly purified 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor fraction with a 45% recovery of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 binding capacity. The porcine receptor was purified to homogeneity by preparative electrophoresis and digested in sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gels with Staphylococcus aureus strain V8 protease. The resulting peptides were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, electrophoretically transferred to polyvinylidene difluoride membranes, and directly sequenced. The generation and isolation of peptides by this method allows sequencing of proteins present in trace amounts as well as those whose amino termini have been modified. The 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor amino acid sequence corresponded to the sequence predicted from a recently cloned receptor cDNA obtained from rat kidney mRNAs.

Investigation on the potential role of the Ah receptor nuclear translocator protein in vitamin D receptor action.

The Ah receptor nuclear translocator protein (ARNT) is required for binding of the Ah (dioxin) receptor to the xenobiotic responsive element (XRE), and is a structural component of the XRE-binding form of the Ah receptor. The vitamin D receptor requires an accessory protein for binding to the vitamin D responsive element (VDRE) in the osteocalcin gene. Since the vitamin D receptor has similarities to the Ah receptor, we investigated whether ARNT is also required for vitamin D receptor activity. Two lines of evidence demonstrate that ARNT is not required for vitamin D receptor activity, and therefore does not correspond to the vitamin D receptor accessory protein: i) Antibodies to ARNT have no effect on binding of the vitamin D receptor to the VDRE. ii) c4, a mutant of Hepa-1 cells that is defective in ARNT activity, and in which binding of the Ah receptor to the XRE does not occur, possesses a vitamin D receptor with full activity for binding the VDRE.

Immunopurified 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1 alpha-hydroxylase and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 24-hydroxylase are closely related but distinct enzymes.

The chick kidney mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 24-hydroxylase was partially purified by sequential polyethylene glycol precipitation, aminohexyl-Sepharose 4B, and hydroxylapatite chromatography. The specific activity of the final preparation, when reconstituted with NADPH, adrenodoxin, and adrenodoxin reductase, was 245 pmol/min/mg of protein or 0.56 pmol/min/pmol of P-450. The specific cytochrome P-450 content was 0.45-0.73 nmol/mg of protein. BALB/c mice immunized with this preparation developed serum polyclonal antibodies to the 24-hydroxylase, as demonstrated by immunoprecipitation. Splenic lymphocytes from an immunized mouse were fused with myeloma NSI/1-Ag-4-1 cells, and hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies to the 24-hydroxylase were detected by immunoprecipitation. The hybridoma lines were cloned by limiting dilution and further characterized as IgG1, IgG3, and IgM subclasses. In one-dimensional immunoblots of soluble 24-hydroxylase preparations, the monoclonal antibodies revealed a single band with an apparent molecular weight of 59,000. The monoclonal antibodies did not cross-react with cytochrome P-450s from other species but immunoprecipitated and immunoblotted a soluble chick renal mitochondrial 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1 alpha-hydroxylase preparation, demonstrating the close similarity of these two hydroxylases. These antibodies were coupled to Sepharose CL-4B and used to isolate to homogeneity the two enzymes from chick kidney mitochondria. Amino-terminal sequences and amino acid composition data demonstrate that these enzymes are different but homologous.

A nuclear protein essential for binding of rat 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor to its response elements.

Recombinant 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor from a baculovirus expression system requires a mammalian-derived nuclear accessory protein for binding to a vitamin D response element (DRE). This was established by electrophoretic mobility shift analyses using radiolabeled DNA probes consisting of DREs from two vitamin D-responsive genes. Mammalian nuclear extract was also required for the binding of wild-type porcine vitamin D receptor to a DRE. Surprisingly, the accessory factor-dependent formation of receptor-DRE complex was independent of exogenous 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. A 59- to 64-kDa accessory protein from porcine intestinal nuclear extract was identified by size-exclusion chromatography. Nuclear extracts from rat liver and kidney contained accessory factor, whereas smaller amounts were detected in heart muscle. Spleen and skeletal muscle contained no detectable accessory factor.

26,27-Dihomo-1 alpha-hydroxy- and 26,27-dihomo-24-epi-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 analogs that differ markedly in biological activity in vivo.

26,27-Dihomo-1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2, 26,27-dihomo-24-epi-1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2, and 26,27-dihomo-24-epi-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 have been synthesized. In contrast to 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 24-epi-1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2, 26,27-dihomo-1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 (1) and the 24-epi analog (2) have no activity in intestinal calcium transport, bone calcium mobilization, or skeleton mineralization. On the other hand, 26,27-dihomo-24-epi-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 is equal to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in biological activity. Vitamin D 25-hydroxylase readily converts 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2. In contrast, the same preparations fail to hydroxylate 26,27-dihomo-1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 26,27-dihomo-24-epi-1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 on carbon 25. Thus, homologation of carbons 26 and 27 of the vitamin D compound likely sterically hinders vitamin D 25-hydroxylase.

Vitamin D deficiency suppresses cell-mediated immunity in vivo.

Severe vitamin D deficiency has been produced in mice as evidenced by severe hypocalcemia and an absence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in blood. Vitamin D deficiency was accompanied by a slight decrease in body weight and food consumption. Vitamin D-deficient and vitamin D-sufficient mice were sensitized with dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). Sensitivity to DNFB was determined by treatment of one ear with DNFB. The ratio of thickness of the treated ear to that of nontreated ear was used as an index of cell-mediated immune reaction. The incorporation of [3H]thymidine into the DNA of the ear was also used as an index of cell-mediated immunity as was the response of thymus lymphocytes to concanavalin A. Vitamin D deficiency markedly decreased the ear thickness ratio and the [3H]thymidine incorporation ratio in DNFB-sensitized mice. Similarly, the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into the DNA of concanavalin A-treated thymus lymphocytes from DNFB-sensitive mice was significantly reduced in vitamin D deficiency. These results show that in vivo vitamin D deficiency impairs cell-mediated immunity. The provision of a vitamin D-sufficient diet for 8 weeks corrected the impaired response of the immune system, while vitamin D administration for 3 weeks did not.

Immunoaffinity purification of active rat recombinant 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor.

We have developed a large-scale immunoaffinity purification procedure for the recombinant vitamin D receptor. The purified receptor is homogeneous, and is bound by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 with a Kd of 5 x 10(-10) M. The isolated receptor binds to the osteocalcin vitamin D response element in the presence of porcine intestinal nuclear extract stripped of endogenous vitamin D receptor as well. However, the binding of D3 and the vitamin D3 response element does not completely assure a native conformation of the protein. The availability of large quantities of highly purified active vitamin D receptor makes possible detailed structural analysis.

Baculovirus-mediated expression of retinoic acid receptor type gamma in cultured insect cells reveals a difference in specific DNA-binding behavior with the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor.

The baculovirus genetic expression system has been used to produce murine retinoic acid receptor (RAR) type gamma in Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells and Manduca sexta insect larvae. A hydroxyapatite binding assay revealed production levels of 300 pmol of unoccupied receptor per mg of protein in insect cells, whereas levels from infected insect larvae were found to average 100 pmol of RAR gamma per mg of protein. The cytosolic preparation from infected insect cells exhibited an equilibrium dissociation constant of 2.1 nM as determined by a retinoic acid saturation analysis plotted by the method of Scatchard. A polyclonal antibody directed against RAR gamma recognized the recombinant receptor protein as a 54,000-Da species. Electrophoretic mobility shift analyses demonstrated that protein extracts from RAR gamma-producing insect cells or larvae are capable of retinoic acid responsive element binding. This contrasts with the specific DNA-binding behavior of the insect cell-produced vitamin D receptor, which requires the presence of a mammalian-derived nuclear accessory protein. This distinction between RAR gamma and the vitamin D receptor suggests a difference in the molecular requirements by these two receptors for specific binding of their respective DNA response elements.

A highly sensitive method for large-scale measurements of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

A quantitative method for measuring 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) was developed utilizing a luciferase reporter gene under the control of the highly inducible 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 24-hydroxylase promoter in a stably transfected cell line. Transient transfections with constructs containing the 24-hydroxylase gene promoter 5' to a luciferase reporter were first performed in cell lines with high levels of vitamin D receptor, i.e., the rat osteosarcoma (ROS 17/2.8) and human breast cancer (T-47D) cell lines. ROS 17/2.8 cells, stably transfected with the plasmid, gave a 60-fold stimulation with 10(-10) M 1,25-(OH)2D3. A standard curve was constructed showing a large range of response to 1,25-(OH)2D3 (1 pg to 1 ng). The assay was adapted to microtiter plates, which permits a large number of samples to be assayed simultaneously. Other metabolites of vitamin D and analogs such as 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 have negligible effects on the detection of 1,25-(OH)2D3, thus eliminating the need for purification of sample. The sensitivity of the method permitted the use of 100 microliters of serum with excellent results. Comparison of this method with a commercially available assay demonstrates that it gives higher sensitivity, simpler manipulations, and comparable results.