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Biomedical subjects

R T Franceschi

Publications and source records attributed to R T Franceschi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Effects of differentiation and transforming growth factor beta 1 on PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA levels in MC3T3-E1 cells.

TGF beta has opposing effects on osteoblasts which are thought to be differentiation stage dependent; however, little is known concerning the effects of TGF beta on osteoblastic characteristics at different stages of maturation. The purpose of this study was to characterize the pattern of mRNA expression for the PTH/PTHrP receptor during normal osteoblastic differentiation in vitro, and evaluate the effects of TGF beta 1 on PTH/PTHrP receptor and osteocalcin (OCN) steady-state mRNA at different stages of osteoblastic differentiation. MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts were plated at low density and induced to differentiate with ascorbic acid and beta-glycerophosphate. The first group served as a vehicle control and the remaining five groups received a single 48 h TGF beta 1 (3.0 ng/ml)-pulse staggered on a weekly basis for 30 days. Cell cultures were harvested weekly and evaluated for: steady-state PTH/PTHrP receptor and OCN mRNA levels via northern analysis, calcium and phosphorous levels, bone nodules via Von Kossa staining, alkaline phosphatase enzyme levels, and hydroxyproline levels. Group 1 (control) samples followed a normal pattern of proliferation, extracellular matrix deposition, and mineralization. PTH/PTHrP receptor and OCN mRNA expression increased 8-fold and 10-fold respectively, over the collection periods. When TGF beta 1 was administered during the first 48 h period (group 2) while cells were rapidly proliferating, there was a persistent inhibition of PTH/PTHrP receptor expression and a striking reduction in OCN mRNA expression at all time points. There was also a down-regulation of PTH/PTHrP receptor and OCN expression when TGF beta 1 was administered later during osteoblast differentiation (groups 3-6); however, these effects were not persistent. In addition there was a total lack of bone nodule formation in group two cultures, whereas groups 3-6 had increasing bone nodule formation because the TGF beta 1 was administered later in the culture period. These studies indicate that expression of the PTH/PTHrP receptor increases with osteoblastic differentiation and suggest that TGF beta 1 inhibits osteoblastic maturation with more persistent effects found in less differentiated osteoblastic cells.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1995

Mineralization of bone-like extracellular matrix in the absence of functional osteoblasts.

When grown in medium containing ascorbic acid and beta-glycerol phosphate, mouse MC3T3-E1 cells express an osteoblast phenotype and produce a highly mineralized extracellular matrix. The purpose of this study was to independently examine the role of the collagenous matrix and functional osteoblasts on the mineralization process. Cultures with and without an extensive collagenous matrix were prepared by growing MC3T3-E1 cells in the presence and absence of ascorbic acid. Matrix-rich cultures mineralized at much lower calcium phosphate ion products than nonmatrix cultures. At higher ion products, spontaneous precipitation in the medium and cell layers of nonmatrix cultures were observed. In contrast, mineral in matrix-rich cultures was still exclusively associated with collagen fibrils and not with ectopic sites in the cell layer or medium. To examine the effect of cell viability on matrix mineralization, cells were grown 8 or 16 days in the presence of ascorbic acid, then killed and incubated in a mineralizing medium. Significant mineralization was not observed in the collagenous matrix of 8-day killed cultures or age-matched controls. At 16 days mineral was associated with collagen fibrils at specific foci in the matrix of both viable and killed cultures. This observation is consistent with the concept that collagenous matrices must undergo a maturation process before they can support a mineral induction and growth. It further shows that osteoblast-like cells are not required for mineralization of mature matrices, but are required for matrix maturation.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1995

Fibronectin gene expression, synthesis and accumulation during in vitro differentiation of chicken osteoblasts.

A well-defined chicken osteoblast culture system(18) has been used to examine fibronectin (FN) mRNA levels, synthesis, and accumulation during in vitro differentiation and matrix mineralization. Immunofluorescent staining of cells after 6 or 18 days in culture revealed that FN was initially associated with the cell surface and in partial coalignment with cytoskeletal elements while at the latter time most FN was associated with the extracellular matrix as a ubiquitous fibrillar network. Western blot analysis of total cell-associated proteins also detected FN at all culture times. However, when results were normalized to cellular DNA, FN levels increased until 12-16 and remained relatively constant thereafter. Similarly, FN synthesis as measured by [35S]-methionine labeling, and immunoprecipitation was greatest in early cultures (culture day 3) and then declined such that synthesis decreased 60% at day 18 and 94% after 24-31 days. FN mRNA levels as measured by Northern blot analysis were well correlated with FN synthesis. These results clearly show that FN is made by primary osteoblasts during their in vitro maturation. In contrast to other osteoblast markers such as alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and osteopontin, whose expression increases as cells differentiate, FN accumulates in the matrix during periods of early cell growth and attachment and then remains proportional to cell number. Results with FN differ from those obtained with collagen which continues to accumulate in the extracellular matrix during osteoblast maturation. These results are consistent with FN being important for the initial attachment of early osteoblasts or osteoblast precursors to the pericellular matrix.

Actins↗
PubMed1995

Requirement for Na(+)-dependent ascorbic acid transport in osteoblast function.

Ascorbic acid is necessary for expression of the osteoblast phenotype. We examined whether Na(+)-dependent transport is required for MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells to respond to vitamin C and investigated the role of membrane transport in the intracellular accumulation and function of ascorbate. MC3T3-E1 cells were found to possess a saturable, stereoselective, Na(+)-dependent ascorbic acid transport activity that is sensitive to the transport inhibitors sulfinpyrazone, 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, and phloretin. Transport activity showed no competition with glucose or 2-deoxyglucose and was not inhibited by cytochalasin B, indicating that it is distinct from known hexose transporters. On addition of 100 microM ascorbic acid to the extracellular medium, intracellular concentrations of 10 mM were reached within 5-10 h and remained constant for up to 24 h. A good correlation was observed between intracellular ascorbic acid concentration and rate of hydroxyproline synthesis. Although ascorbic acid was transported preferentially compared with D-isoascorbic acid, both isomers had equivalent activity in stimulating hydroxyproline formation once they entered cells. Marked stereoselectivity for extracellular L-ascorbic acid relative to D-isoascorbic acid was also seen when alkaline phosphatase and total hydroxyproline were measured after 6 days in culture. Moreover, ascorbic acid transport inhibitors that prevented intracellular accumulation of vitamin blocked the synthesis of hydroxyproline. Thus Na(+)-dependent ascorbic acid transport is required for MC3T3-E1 cells to achieve the millimolar intracellular vitamin C concentrations necessary for maximal prolyl hydroxylase activity and expression of the osteoblast phenotype.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1994

Effects of ascorbic acid on collagen matrix formation and osteoblast differentiation in murine MC3T3-E1 cells.

Treatment of mouse MC3T3-E1 cells with ascorbic acid initiates the formation of a collagenous extracellular matrix and synthesis of several osteoblast-related proteins. We recently showed that ascorbic acid dramatically increases alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin mRNAs and that this induction is blocked by inhibitors of collagen triple-helix formation (Franceschi and Iyer, J Bone Miner Res 7:235). In the present study, the relationship between collagen matrix formation and osteoblast-specific gene expression is explored in greater detail. Kinetic studies revealed that ascorbic acid increased proline hydroxylation in the intracellular procollagen pool within 1 h and stimulated the cleavage of type I collagen propeptides beginning at 2.5 h. Mature alpha 1(I) and alpha 2(I) collagen components were first detected at 10 h and continued to increase in both cell layer and culture medium for up to 72 h. Ascorbic acid also increased the rate of procollagen secretion from cell layers to culture medium. The secretion of another matrix protein, fibronectin, was only slightly affected. Alkaline phosphatase or its mRNA was first detected 2-3 days after ascorbic acid addition, but osteocalcin mRNA was not seen until day 6. Two inhibitors of collagen triple-helix formation, ethyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzoate and 3,4-dehydroproline, inhibited procollagen hydroxylation and alkaline phosphatase induction. 3,4-Dehydroproline also inhibited the induction of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin mRNAs. Surprisingly, induction was not blocked if cells were exposed to ascorbic acid before inhibitor addition. Alkaline phosphatase was also partially inhibited if cells were grown in the presence of purified bacterial collagenase. These results indicate that the induction of osteoblast markers by ascorbic acid does not require the continuous hydroxylation and processing of procollagens and suggest that a stable, possibly matrix-associated signal is generated at early times after ascorbic acid addition that allows subsequent induction of osteoblast-related genes.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1992

Relationship between collagen synthesis and expression of the osteoblast phenotype in MC3T3-E1 cells.

The MC3T3-E1 mouse calvaria-derived cell line has been used to study the role of collagen synthesis in osteoblast differentiation. MC3T3-E1 cells, like several previously characterized osteoblast culture systems, expressed osteoblast markers and formed a mineralized extracellular matrix only after exposure to ascorbic acid. Mineralization was stimulated further by beta-glycerol phosphate. Ultrastructural observations indicated that the extracellular matrix produced by ascorbic acid-treated cells was highly organized and contained well-banded collagen fibrils. Expression of osteoblast markers followed a clear temporal sequence. The earliest effects of ascorbic acid were to stimulate type I procollagen mRNA and collagen synthesis (24 h after ascorbate addition), followed by induction of alkaline phosphatase (48-72 h) and osteocalcin (96-144 h) mRNAs. Procollagen mRNA, which was expressed constitutively in the absence of ascorbate, increased only twofold after vitamin C addition. In contrast, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin mRNAs were undetectable in untreated cultures. Actions of ascorbic acid on osteoblast marker gene expression are mediated by increases in collagen synthesis and/or accumulation because (1) parallel dose-response relationships were obtained for ascorbic acid stimulation of collagen accumulation and alkaline phosphatase activity, and (2) the specific collagen synthesis inhibitors, 3,4-dehydroproline and cis-4-hydroxyproline, reversibly blocked ascorbic acid-dependent collagen synthesis and osteoblast marker gene expression.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1992

The role of ascorbic acid in mesenchymal differentiation.

Survival of all higher vertebrates requires that they either synthesize vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or obtain it from their diet. The role of ascorbic acid as a reductant for the iron prosthetic group of hydroxylase enzymes involved in collagen biosynthesis is well established. In contrast, the relationship between the biochemical functions of ascorbic acid and the broad defects in connective tissue formation associated with vitamin C deficiency is less obvious. This review will develop the hypothesis that vitamin C is required for the differentiation of mesenchyme-derived connective tissues such as muscle, cartilage, and bone. It is proposed that the collagen matrix produced by ascorbic acid-treated cells provides a permissive environment for tissue-specific gene expression.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Retinoic acid: morphogen or more mysteries?

It has been proposed that retinoic acid is a vertebrate morphogen that can regulate pattern formation in developing limbs. However, recent experiments raise questions about the validity of this hypothesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Characterization of the vitamin D receptor from the Caco-2 human colon carcinoma cell line: effect of cellular differentiation.

The human colon carcinoma cell line, Caco-2, is the only intestinal cell line to spontaneously differentiate in culture to a population exhibiting structural and biochemical characteristics of mature enterocytes. We conducted studies to establish the presence of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), determine changes in VDR concentration and affinity with differentiation and determine whether 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) mediates a functional response in this cell line. We found that Caco-2 cells possess a specific 1,25(OH)2D3 binding protein similar to the mammalian VDR. It has an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.72 nM, binds vitamin D analogues in order of their biological activities in vivo (1,25(OH)2D3 greater than 25(OH)D3 greater than 24,25(OH)2D3), sediments as a single peak on sucrose density gradients at 3.7 S, and is eluted from a DNA-cellulose column by 0.16 M KCl. The maximum number of binding sites was 2.6-fold greater in the differentiated cell (Day 15) compared to the preconfluent, undifferentiated (Day 4) cell (23 fmol/mg protein vs 56 fmol/mg protein). Cell growth was reduced 59% when exposed to 10(-7) M 1,25(OH)2D3 for 8 days. Alkaline phosphatase activity significantly increased in cultures incubated with 10(-8) M 1,25(OH)2D3 for up to 4 days when treatment was started in both undifferentiated cells (Day 5) and differentiated cells (Day 11). These findings suggest that the VDR present in undifferentiated and differentiated Caco-2 cells is functional. Caco-2 cells provide a unique in vitro model to study vitamin D-regulated functions in differentiated mammalian enterocytes.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1990

Regulation of alkaline phosphatase by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and ascorbic acid in bone-derived cells.

The bone, liver, and kidney isozyme of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) has been measured in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells after treatment with ascorbic acid (AA) and/or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3]. Both compounds were required to achieve maximum ALP activity. When grown in the absence of 1,25-(OH)2D3 cells had low basal ALP activity regardless of whether media contained AA. In AA-free medium, 1,25-(OH)2D3 (10 nM) increased ALP activity fourfold. Addition of AA further increased levels of ALP activity induced by 1,25-(OH)2D3 to 10-15 times those found in -AA controls. The earliest effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 were seen after 24-48 h, and ALP activity continued to increase for 6-8 days. AA and 1,25-(OH)2D3 had similar effects on ALP activity in ROS 17/2.8 rat osteosarcoma cells. In MG-63 cells the effects of AA and 1,25-(OH)2D3 could not be simply explained by the ability of these compounds to inhibit cell growth because another mitotic inhibitor, hydroxyurea, had a minimal effect on ALP activity. 1,25-(OH)2D3-specific induction of ALP +/- AA was totally blocked by inhibitors of protein and RNA synthesis. Maximal ALP induction was obtained when cells were plated at low density. Consistent with our previous report (Franceschi et al. 1988 J Biol Chem 263:18938-18945), 1,25-(OH)2D3 rapidly stimulated type I collagen synthesis and acid-precipitable hydroxyproline production in MG-63 cells and this stimulation was further increased by AA. These results suggest that induction of the osteoblast marker, ALP, is directly or indirectly coupled to collagen matrix synthesis and/or accumulation.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1988

Regulation of type I collagen synthesis by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in human osteosarcoma cells.

Synthesis of type I and III collagens has been examined in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells after treatment with the steroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3). Analysis of total [3H]proline-labeled proteins and pepsin-derived collagens revealed that 1,25-(OH)2D3 selectively stimulated synthesis of alpha 1I and alpha 2I components of type I collagen after 6-12 h. Consistent with previous reports (Franceschi, R. T., Linson, C. J., Peter, T. C., and Romano, P. R. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 4165-4171), parallel increases in fibronectin synthesis were also observed. Hormonal effects were maximal (2- to 2.5-fold versus controls) after 24 h and persisted for at least 48 h. In contrast, synthesis of the alpha 1III component of type III collagen was not appreciably affected by hormone treatment. Of several vitamin D metabolites (1,25-(OH)2D3, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) tested for activity in stimulating type I collagen synthesis, 1,25-(OH)2D3 was found to be the most active. Analysis of collagen mRNA abundance by Northern blot hybridization indicated that both types I and III procollagen mRNAs were increased 4-fold after a 24-h exposure to 1,25-(OH)2D3. Pro alpha 1I mRNA remained elevated through the 48-h time point while pro alpha 2I and pro alpha 1III mRNAs returned to control values. These results indicate that the regulation of collagen synthesis by 1,25-(OH)2D3 is complex and may involve changes in translational efficiency as well as mRNA abundance. 1,25-(OH)2D3 also caused at least a 20-fold increase in levels of the bone-specific calcium-binding protein, osteocalcin. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that 1,25-(OH)2D3 is stimulating partial differentiation to the osteoblast phenotype in MG-63 cells.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗
PubMed1987

Regulation of cellular adhesion and fibronectin synthesis by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

We recently reported that the steroid hormone, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) can inhibit growth, alter morphology, and increase cell associated and medium concentrations of fibronectin (FN) in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells (Franceschi, R. T., James, W., and Zerlauth, G. (1985) J. Cell. Physiol. 123, 401-409). In the present study, we have tested the hypothesis that 1,25-(OH)2D3 increases cellular adhesion by stimulating FN synthesis. Hormone treatment altered cell morphology and increased cell/substratum adhesion in MG-63 cells, effects which could be mimicked by exogenously added FN. 1,25-(OH)2D3-dependent increases in FN production were due to a rapid (within 12 h) increase in FN synthesis. Maximal (2 to 5-fold) stimulation was observed after 48 h. Hormone treatment did not alter apparent FN stability or distribution during this time. The FN response was specific to 1,25-(OH)2D3 when compared with other vitamin D metabolites. In contrast, triamcinolone acetonide, another known inducer of FN synthesis in certain cells, was only slightly stimulatory up to a concentration of 1 microM. FN mRNA, as measured by Northern blot hybridization, increased within 6 h of 1,25-(OH)2D3 addition with maximal (5-fold) induction seen at 24 h. 1,25-(OH)2D3 also stimulated FN synthesis in several other transformed cell lines (TE-85 human osteosarcomas, SW-480 human colon carcinomas, and HL-60 myeloid leukemia cells). These results may be related to known actions of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on cell differentiation and tumor metastasis.

Calcitriol↗
PubMed1985

1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 specific regulation of growth, morphology, and fibronectin in a human osteosarcoma cell line.

The ability of the hormonally active vitamin D metabolite, 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, to affect cell growth, morphology and fibronectin production has been examined using the MG-63 human osteosarcoma cell line. Hormone treatment reduced cell growth rate, saturation density and [3H]thymidine incorporation. Inhibition was specific for 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 relative to other vitamin D metabolites (1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 greater than 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 greater than 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 greater than D3), antagonized by high concentrations of serum and readily reversed by removal of 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 from the culture medium. Hormone treatment also increased cell associated alkaline phosphatase activity up to twofold and altered morphology such that treated cells were more spread out on the culture dish and contained more cytoplasmic processes. Significantly, 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 increased cellular and medium concentrations of fibronectin, a glycoprotein known to be involved in cellular adhesiveness. MG-63 cells contain a specific 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor which may mediate these responses.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1984

Interaction of the 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor with RNA and synthetic polyribonucleotides.

The interaction of the 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor with RNA and synthetic polynucleotides has been examined by using receptor from rachitic chicken intestine. Total intestinal RNA inhibited the binding of receptor to calf thymus DNA-cellulose with an efficiency equivalent to single-stranded DNA. A comparison of the inhibitory activity of several polyribonucleotides gave the following order of activities: poly(I) = poly(G) greater than or equal to double-stranded DNA greater than single-stranded DNA = poly(U). Poly(A), poly(C), and the ribonucleoside monophosphates AMP, GMP, CMP, and UMP had minimal activity. A preference for single-stranded homopolymers was observed [i.e., poly(I) and poly(U) were active, whereas poly(I):poly(C) and poly(U):poly(A) were not]. The ability of nucleic acids to displace receptor from DNA-cellulose was also measured. Both poly(G) and poly(I) were more active than double-stranded DNA in this assay. Furthermore, differences were noted between intestinal RNA fractions separated on the basis of poly(A) content. Receptor also bound to immobilized intestinal RNA and polynucleotides. The KCl concentration necessary to disrupt binding to a given polynucleotide generally paralleled the activity of that molecule in DNA-cellulose inhibition and displacement assays. These results suggest that the 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor can interact with RNA as well as DNA.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Temperature-dependent inactivation of nucleic acid binding and aggregation of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor.

The interaction of the 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor with immobilized calf thymus DNA has been compared with its sedimentation properties on hypotonic sucrose gradients. Forty to sixty percent of total hormone:receptor complexes formed at 4 degrees C were retained by DNA-cellulose and could be eluted by 0.18 to 0.2 M KCl. In contrast, heating preparations to 25 degrees C rapidly and irreversibly converted receptor to a form which bound hormone and DEAE-cellulose normally, but was unable to associate with DNA. Similarly, the ability of receptor to aggregate to a 6 S species was labile at 25 degrees C. Stabilization of receptor in the DNA binding aggregating form was accomplished using Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, or Na2MoO4 while several protease and phosphatase inhibitors were ineffective. An examination of DNA binding properties of aggregating and nonaggregating receptor forms revealed that only receptor competent to enter into aggregates could bind DNA suggesting that a functional nucleic acid binding site, and, hence, a nucleic acid interaction is necessary for aggregate formation. Consistent with this view, an RNA:receptor interaction appears to be involved in formation of the 6 S complex since removal of RNA by ribonuclease treatment or purification of receptor reduced aggregation, an effect that could be reversed by addition of purified RNA.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Molecular events involved in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 stimulation of intestinal calcium transport.

There is a biphasic response of intestinal calcium transport to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2-D3). The first or rapid response is by existng mature villus cells, whereas the slow second response is by maturing crypt cells. For both responses, [3H]1,25-(OH)2-D3 localizes in the nucleus before initiating the transport events. This localization is brought about by a specific cytoplasmic receptor, which has a molecular weight of 67,000, is highly specific for 1,25-(OH)2-D3, and has a Kd of 5 X 10(-11) M. Its essentiality for intestinal calcium transport response to 1,25-(OH)2-D3 can be demonstrated in neonatal rat pups. In cultured chick intestinal duodena calcium transport begins to appear within 4 h after the addition of 1,25-(OH)2-D3. The response of this calcium transport system to 1,25-(OH)2-D3 is totally blocked by cycloheximide in a reversible manner. Similarly, it is blocked by actinomycin D in a partially reversible manner. These results make it obvious that the rapid calcium transport response to 1,25-(OH)2-D3 involves nuclear activity and transcription of DNA into functional proteins. The exact nature of the transport proteins remains largely unknown except for the calcium-binding protein originally discovered by Wasserman and colleagues. The transport proteins are believed to operate at the brush border membrane surface to facilitate the transfer of calcium and phosphorus into the absorption cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

The effect of inhibitors of protein and RNA synthesis on 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-dependent calcium uptake in cultured embryonic chick duodenum.

To determine whether 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-dependent increases in intestinal calcium uptake require de novo protein and RNA synthesis, the effects of several inhibitors of these processes have been re-examined in vitro using cultured embryonic chick duodenum. To minimize the contributions of antibiotic toxicity to the interpretation of results, care was taken to examine inhibitor effects at early times after the onset of the 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 response. Cycloheximide at a concentration of 5 microM blocked hormone-dependent calcium uptake at all times examined (6 to 24 h). Actinomycin D was similarly effective at 6 to 12 h. The effects of cycloheximide were totally reversible while actinomycin D inhibition was only partially reversible. These compounds inhibited protein or RNA synthesis by 68.4 +/- 1.4 and 51.4 +/- 1.1%, respectively. Anisomycin, another inhibitor of polypeptide chain elongation and alpha-amanitin, an inhibitor of RNA polymerase I, also blocked 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-dependent calcium uptake after 12 h in culture. These results further strengthen the hypothesis that 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 stimulates intestinal calcium transport via a nuclear mechanism involving new gene expression.

Amanitins↗