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Parathyroid hormone down-regulates 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptors (VDR) and VDR messenger ribonucleic acid in vitro and blocks homologous up-regulation of VDR in vivo.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3) is a known up-regulator of 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor (VDR) both in vitro and in vivo. However, a 5- to 10-fold increase in plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 induced by dietary calcium deficiency does not result in up-regulation of intestinal VDR, and kidney VDR is down-regulated. Under certain physiological stresses, an increase in plasma PTH precedes increased plasma 1,25(OH)2D3. Therefore, the present study examined the effect of PTH on VDR regulation in vitro in ROS 17/2.8 cells and in vivo in male Holtzman rats. Treatment of ROS cells with PTH (0-5 nM) resulted in a dose and time-dependent decline in VDR from 95 +/- 9 to 35 +/- 5 fmol/mg protein at 18 h of exposure. The ED50 for PTH was 1 nM. This decline in VDR protein was attended by a 50% decline in VDR messenger RNA (mRNA). The PTH-mediated down-regulation of VDR occurred without affecting the affinity of VDR for 1,25(OH)2D3 as determined by Scatchard analysis. Also, the effect of PTH on VDR regulation was specific since cell glucocorticoid receptor concentration was not affected by PTH treatment. In accompanying experiments, 1,25(OH)2[3H]D3 treatment of ROS cells was shown to result in a 3- to 4-fold increased expression of VDR and VDR mRNA. The simultaneous addition of PTH and 1,25(OH)2[3H]D3 resulted in inhibition of the 1,25(OH)2[3H]D3-mediated up-regulation of VDR and VDR mRNA. Similarly, PTH also inhibited heterologous up-regulation of VDR and VDR mRNA induced by retinoic acid. In in vivo experiments, rats infused for 5 days with 1,25(OH)2D3 (1.5 ng/h) increased their expression of intestinal VDR, kidney VDR, and kidney 24-hydroxylase by 31, 336, and 4000%, respectively. Coinfusion of PTH (1.8 IU/h) along with 1,25(OH)2D3 completely inhibited the 1,25(OH)2D3-mediated increases in intestinal VDR and kidney 24-hydroxylase and reduced the 1,25(OH)2D3-mediated up-regulation of kidney VDR by more than half. These data suggest that PTH is a potent down-regulator of VDR and that PTH and 1,25(OH)2D3 have opposing effects on the expression of certain genes.

Animals

The Sp1 transcription factor gene (SP1) and the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor gene (VDR) are colocalized on human chromosome arm 12q and rat chromosome 7.

By means of somatic cell hybrids segregating either human or rat chromosomes, the genes encoding the transcription factor Sp1 (SP1) and the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor (VDR) were both assigned to human chromosome arm 12q and to rat chromosome 7. This result implies that the locus for the clinical disorder vitamin D dependency rickets type II maps on 12q. The phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) and the retinoic acid receptor-gamma (RARG) genes also map on human chromosome arm 12q and rat chromosome 7, indicating that a synteny group is conserved on these chromosomes.

Animals

Effect of glucocorticoids and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the developmental expression of the rat intestinal vitamin D receptor gene.

In this study the ontogenesis of rat intestinal vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene expression was examined. When Northern and slot blot analyses were used to examine the expression of intestinal VDR mRNA in 15-, 18-, 22-, and 28-day-old rats, induction of VDR mRNA was not observed until 22 days postpartum. Since little is known, particularly in the neonate, concerning the in vivo regulation of VDR gene expression, we examined the possibility that glucocorticoids and/or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] could affect the developmental expression of the intestinal VDR gene. To examine the effect of glucocorticoids, rat pups received three sequential injections (one per day) of hydrocortisone (5, 2.5, and 2.5 mg/100 g BW). Hydrocortisone administration before day 14 or on days 19-21 was not effective in inducing VDR mRNA. However, a significant 3.8-fold increase in intestinal VDR mRNA was observed in rats injected with hydrocortisone from days 15-17. The hydrocortisone effective period coincides with the glucocorticoid-sensitive period of rat intestinal development. It should be noted, however, that the up-regulation of VDR was accompanied by an increase in actin mRNA, suggesting that the effect is not specific for VDR. Similarly, when rats were bilaterally adrenalectomized on day 17 (killed on day 22), a 4-fold decrease in VDR mRNA was observed, accompanied by a decrease in actin mRNA. However, when rats were injected with 1,25-(OH)2D3 (25 ng/day.100 g BW) from days 15-17, levels of intestinal VDR mRNA were significantly increased by 1.5-fold, and this change was specific for VDR mRNA. In summary, our results indicate that hydrocortisone and 1,25-(OH)2D3 can precociously induce intestinal VDR mRNA, suggesting the involvement of glucocorticoids and 1,25-(OH)2D3 in the regulation of VDR gene expression in the developing rat intestine. However, our results also indicate that the effect of glucocorticoids (unlike the effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3) is not specific for VDR mRNA, but may reflect general effects of glucocorticoids on intestinal maturation.

Adrenalectomy

Self-induction of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 metabolism limits receptor occupancy and target tissue responsiveness.

Whole cell 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) receptor (VDR) binding assays, which measure VDR in the presence of the metabolic machinery of the cell, were used in conjunction with a cytosol binding assay for VDR to determine if self-induced metabolism of 1,25-(OH)2D3 limits VDR occupancy, total VDR levels, and target cell responsiveness. Treatment of cells with 0.5 nM 1,25-(OH)2[3H]D3 for 16 h results in up-regulation of total cell VDR from 82 to 170 fmol/mg protein as measured in a cytosol binding assay. Conversely, whole cell binding assays of VDR showed a 1,25-(OH)2D3-mediated apparent down-regulation of VDR from 90 to 40 fmol/mg protein. Scatchard analysis using the cytosol binding assay demonstrated that 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment increased total cell VDR from 93 to 154 fmol/mg protein. In contrast, Scatchard analysis with the whole cell binding assay demonstrated that 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment resulted in reduction in total cell VDR from 100 to 64 fmol/mg protein. Initial Kd estimates with the whole cell binding assay suggested that 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment resulted in a reduction in VDR Kd from 0.6 to 6.2 nM. This apparent reduction in the affinity of VDR for 1,25-(OH)2D3 was due to degradation of free 1,25-(OH)2[3H]D3 which occurred during whole cell saturation assay. Competitive inhibitors of 1,25-(OH)2D3 metabolism were found to reverse the apparent receptor down-regulation observed in whole cell binding assays of treated cells. In addition, the presence of competitive inhibitors amplified responses of cells to 1,25-(OH)2[3H]D3 treatment as measured by an increased occupancy of VDR by 1,25-(OH)2[3H]D3 and increased up-regulation of VDR over that observed without metabolism inhibitors. These data demonstrate that self-induced target tissue deactivation of 1,25-(OH)2D3 regulates 1,25-(OH)2D3 occupancy of VDR and ultimately the biopotency of 1,25-(OH)2D3 in target cells.

Binding, Competitive

Regulation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor gene expression by parathyroid hormone and cAMP-agonists.

We studied the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and activation of the cAMP signal pathway on vitamin D receptor (VDR) mRNA levels in the phenotypically osteoblast cell line UMR 106. PTH caused a time- and dose-dependent increase of the VDR mRNA content with a maximum after 2 h. After 24 h the VDR mRNA level in PTH-treated cells returned to control level. In contrast, the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3)-induced increase in VDR mRNA did not decline after 24 h. Inhibition of transcription with actinomycin D (10 micrograms/ml) completely abolished the PTH-induced increase of VDR mRNA and inhibition of translation with cycloheximide (1 microgram/ml) resulted in superinduction of VDR mRNA. The role of cAMP in the induction of VDR mRNA was studied with several agents acting via the cAMP pathway. Incubation for 2 and 4 h with forskolin, Bt2cAMP, PTHrP or prostaglandin E2 caused an increase in the level of VDR mRNA comparable to that caused by PTH. The calcium ionophore A23187 did not affect VDR mRNA level. The present study demonstrates that PTH and activation of the cAMP signal pathway cause up-regulation of VDR via induction of VDR gene expression. The effect of cAMP on the VDR gene is suggestive for a cAMP responsive element in the VDR gene.

Animals

Determination of vertical dimension of rest. A comparative study.

The present study was undertaken to compare the VDR determined by conventional methods and EMG with biofeedback. Twenty dentulous and 20 edentulous subjects were included in the study. The VDR was determined by conventional methods using phonetic and swallowing methods. The masseter and anterior belly of the digastric muscles were used to determine the VDR by EMG with biofeedback. VDR was determined by dentulous and edentulous subjects by conventional and electromyographic methods. In edentulous subjects the VDR relation was determined by both methods with and without dentures in the mouth. All results were subjected to statistical analysis. The following conclusions are drawn from the study: The VDR as determined by both methods was similar in dentulous subjects. In edentulous subjects the difference in the VDR with and without dentures in the mouth was not statistically significant in both methods. In edentulous subjects the VDR increased in most subjects with the insertion of dentures and decreased in the remaining few subjects by either method. The difference between the VDR determined by conventional and electromyographic methods in edentulous subjects with dentures was not significant, but without dentures the difference was statistically significant. The comparison between the two methods of determining the VDR in dentulous and edentulous subjects with or without dentures in the mouth showed that VDR determined with dentures was closer to that of dentulous subjects than without dentures. It was concluded by the authors that the determination of VDR by either conventional or electromyographic methods with dentures was more accurate than determining the VDR without dentures.

Adult

Abnormal binding of vitamin D receptors to deoxyribonucleic acid in a kindred with vitamin D-dependent rickets, type II.

Vitamin D-dependent rickets, type II, is a hereditary disease that results from target organ resistance to the action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3]. We describe here a family (designated G) with a defect in the DNA-binding domain of the 1,25-(OH)2D receptor (VDR) manifested by normal steroid binding and decreased VDR affinity for DNA. The phenotypically normal parents are heterozygous, expressing both normal and defective forms of VDR. The affected children in this family had early-onset rickets, alopecia, hypocalcemia, and elevated serum 1,25-(OH)2D3 levels. The VDR of cultured skin fibroblasts of the affected children (G1 and G2) as well as the parents (G3 and G4) bound [3H]1,25-(OH)2D3 normally (Kd = 2-3 X 10(-11) mol/L; maximal number of binding sites = 20-40 fmol/mg protein). The cells from G1 and G2 were resistant to 1,25-(OH)2D3 action, as measured by induction of 24-hydroxylase activity, while the cells from G3 and G4 responded normally. Western blot analysis using the anti-VDR monoclonal antibody 9A7 showed that hypertonic extracts of fibroblasts from both affected children (G1 and G2) and their parents (G3 and G4) had immunoreactive bands of 48K, identical to the size of the VDR in normal cells. The VDR from G1 and G2 eluted as a single peak from DNA-cellulose columns at a lower salt concentration (0.1 mol/L) than that from normal subjects (0.2 mol/L), indicating an apparent decreased affinity for DNA. Fibroblast VDR from G3 and G4 each eluted from DNA-cellulose columns as two peaks, the normal peak (0.2 mol/L) and the abnormal peak (0.1 mol/L), which was found in G1 and G2. Western blot analysis of the 0.1 and 0.2 mol/L KCl peak fractions also confirmed that VDR was present in only the 0.1 mol/L fraction and not the 0.2 mol/L fraction from G1. However, VDR was present in both fractions from G3. In summary, this vitamin D-dependent rickets, type II, kindred has a defect in the DNA-binding domain of VDR. The parents are phenotypically normal and express both the normal and defective VDR alleles, as demonstrated by both DNA-cellulose chromatography and Western blot analysis. The affected children are resistant to 1,25-(OH)2D3 action and are homozygous for the defective VDR.

Blotting, Western

Glucocorticoids decrease vitamin D receptor number and gene expression in human osteosarcoma cells.

The mechanisms by which glucocorticoids (GC) inhibit some actions of vitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D3] are not well understood, but there is growing evidence that GC alter vitamin D receptor (VDR) number. We studied the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) on VDR number and mRNA in the human osteosarcoma cell line, MG-63. The effects of DEX on 1,25-(OH)2D3 binding were examined by incubating confluent cells overnight in media without or with 10(-6) M DEX. DEX decreased VDR number (B max) by approximately 70% (110 versus 32 fmol/mg cellular protein, p less than 0.001) without significantly changing the apparent affinity (K'D) of 1,25-(OH)2D3 for its receptor (3.8 versus 2.2 x 10(-10) M, p greater than 0.05). Overnight incubation of MG-63 cells with DEX produced a time- and dose-responsive decrease in VDR mRNA compared to untreated controls (p less than 0.01). To determine the mechanism of the DEX-mediated decrease in VDR mRNA, the effect of DEX on VDR mRNA stability was studied. We found that the half-life for the VDR mRNA was approximately 5.7 h and was not significantly changed when the cells were incubated with DEX (approximately 6.3 h). We conclude that DEX decreases both VDR number and mRNA in MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. Since the half-life of VDR mRNA was not significantly modified by dexamethasone, glucocorticoids appear to decrease VDR mRNA by inhibiting VDR gene transcription or by affecting the processing of VDR mRNA.

Actins

Bidirectional regulation of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor by phorbol ester-activated protein kinase-C in osteoblast-like cells: interaction with adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-induced up-regulation of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor.

In the present study the involvement of protein kinase-C (PKC) in the regulation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and interaction of PKC with cAMP-induced up-regulation of VDR in osteoblast-like cells were examined. Activation of PKC by incubation for 4 h with the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) resulted in a comparable dose-dependent decrease in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 binding in the osteoblast-like cell lines UMR 106 and ROS 17/2.8, with a maximum inhibition at 100 nM and an IC50 at 5 nM PMA. Time-course studies revealed that in both UMR 106 and ROS 17/2.8 cells, 24-h incubation with PMA caused an increase in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 binding. This can be related to down-regulation of PKC. Scatchard analysis demonstrated that activation of PKC resulted not in a change in receptor affinity, but, rather, in an increase in VDR number. This is supported by Northern blot analysis, which shows at 2 h a decrease and at 24 h an increase in VDR mRNA. At 4 h, when activation of the cAMP pathway results in an increase in VDR, activation of PKC results in a decrease in VDR. Coincubation for 4 h with PMA caused a decrease in PTH- and forskolin-induced up-regulation of VDR. This inhibition is not due to a reduction in cAMP production, as PTH-stimulated cAMP production was potentiated by PMA. The effect of activation of PKC on VDR is not a general effect, as PMA does not affect basal ornithine decarboxylase activity and potentiates PTH-induced ornithine decarboxylase activity. The present study demonstrates that PKC is involved in the regulation of VDR in UMR 106 and ROS 17/2.8 and that PKC interacts with cAMP in the regulation of VDR. The current data point to a negative controlling role for PKC in the regulation of VDR. Moreover, two different cAMP-regulated actions in UMR 106 cells (VDR up-regulation and ornithine decarboxylase activity) are differently modulated by PKC. Although the precise mechanism by which PKC represses and stimulates gene expression is not yet clear, this study demonstrates the important regulatory role for PKC in two osteoblast-like sarcoma cell lines.

Calcitriol

Activation of protein kinase-C inhibits vitamin D receptor gene expression.

The abundance of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptors (VDR) in cultured cells has been shown to vary in direct relation to the rate of cell proliferation. This study examines the question of whether the growth-factor mediated up-regulation of VDR is due to direct modulation of VDR gene expression or is secondary to the stimulation of cell cycle events. Mitogenic agents, such as basic fibroblast growth factor and phorbol esters, were found to cause significant decreases in VDR abundance, while substantially stimulating proliferation of NIH-3T3 cells. Potent phorbol esters, such as phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate, whose biological actions have been shown to be mediated through the activation of protein kinase-C, down-regulated VDR in a time- and dose-dependent manner. An inactive phorbol ester, 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate, which does not activate protein kinase-C, did not alter VDR levels. Desensitization of protein kinase-C by prolonged exposure of cells to phorbol esters eliminated the PMA-mediated down-regulation of VDR. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase-C, blocked the actions of PMA. Oleoyl acetyl glycerol, a synthetic diacyl glycerol, and A23187, a calcium ionophore, were both able to suppress VDR abundance alone and were additive in combination. The results suggest that activation of the protein kinase-C pathway and elevation of intracellular Ca2+ lead to significant down-regulation of VDR. The inhibitory effect of PMA appears to be exerted at the level of VDR mRNA expression. Northern blot analysis revealed significant decreases in steady state levels of VDR mRNA species that qualitatively corresponded to the decrease in VDR protein concentration seen on a Western blot.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alkaloids

Vitamin D receptor interaction with specific DNA. Association as a 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-modulated heterodimer.

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a member of the steroid receptor gene family. In this report, we examine the nature of specific VDR DNA binding utilizing the vitamin D-responsive element derived from the human osteocalcin promoter. Association of the VDR with the human osteocalcin 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) responsive element (VDRE) in vitro was characterized on VDRE affinity columns by both weak and strong interactions. Weak interaction was a property of the VDR itself, monomeric in nature, and determined exclusively by the VDR's DNA-binding domain. Strong interaction, in contrast, was dependent upon an intact receptor molecule as well as a heterologous mammalian cell nuclear accessory factor (NAF). Heteromeric interaction between VDR and NAF was independent of the VDR DNA-binding domain, suggesting the presence of a functional dimerization domain separate from that for DNA binding. Direct association of NAF with immobilized VDR revealed that the interaction does not require the presence of DNA. Most importantly, while occupancy of the VDR by 1,25(OH)2D3 was not required for VDR interactions with either DNA or NAF, the presence of hormone increased the apparent relative affinity of the VDR for NAF approximately 10-fold. These studies suggest that high affinity association of the VDR with DNA requires both the DNA-binding domain as well as an additional independent structure located within the steroid-binding region. This protein subdomain interacts with NAF and is regulated by 1,25(OH)2D3.

Amino Acids

Endogenous blockade of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-receptor binding in New World primate cells.

When assessed by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2-D3)-receptor (VDR) binding analysis or 1,25(OH)2-D3-VDR-directed bioresponsiveness, cultured cells from some New World primates (platyrrhines) demonstrate a variable decrement in VDR when compared with Old World primate (catarrhine) cells. To study this difference in VDR expression among primates, we performed immunoblot analysis of the VDR in cultured dermal fibroblasts from platyrrhines in the genera Pithecia and Aotus and from catarrhines in the genus Presbytis; although a platyrrhine, the owl monkey (Aotus) expresses a VDR of the catarrhine (wild type) phenotype. Despite a 10-fold difference in the content of VDR by ligand binding analysis among cells from the three prototypic primate genera, there was a less than or equal to 10% difference in the steady-state level of 50-kD VDR detected by immunoblot analysis of cellular extracts. We investigated this apparent discrepancy in the content of VDR in immunoblots and ligand binding analyses by mixing VDR-containing nuclear extracts of equivalent protein concentration from the various primates. Coincubation of Pithecia and Aotus fibroblast extracts with Presbytis extract diminished specific 1,25(OH)2-D3 binding in the mix by 90% and 95% respectively. Similar results were obtained by mixing nuclear extracts of the owl monkey cell line, OMK, and the vitamin D resistant marmoset B-lymphoblast cell line B95-8. A wild type 1,25(OH)2-D3-binding profile was restored in mixtures after trypsin or heat treatment of the B95-8 extract. These data indicate that some New World primate cells contain a soluble protein that prevents intracellular 1,25(OH)2-D3-VDR binding. It is possible that the quantitative differences in the expression of this protein are responsible for 1,25(OH)2-D3 and other steroid hormone resistant states of variable severity in New World primates.

Animals

Dietary restriction of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D elicits differential regulation of the mRNAs for avian intestinal calbindin-D28k and the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor.

We investigated the regulation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3]-induced calbindin-D28k (CaBP) and of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) by evaluating CaBP protein, CaBP mRNA, and VDR mRNA under conditions of altered intake of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphorus. Chickens were maintained for 10 days on one of four diets: vitamin D-deficient, normal (1.0% Ca and 1.1% P), low calcium (0.1% Ca and 1.2% P), and low phosphorus (1.1% Ca and 0.3% P). CaBP was undetectable in D-deficient duodena and was elevated above normal values by low-calcium (3.1-fold) and low-phosphorus (2.3-fold) intake. Contradictory to published data, we observed a correlation between CaBP protein and mRNA levels in that the CaBP mRNA was absent in D-deficient intestine and augmented threefold and twofold in low-calcium and low-phosphate duodena, respectively. In contrast, VDR mRNA concentrations were identical in vitamin D-deficient and normal duodena, implying that intestinal VDR is not dependent upon 1,25-(OH)2D3 for basal expression. Chickens fed a low-phosphorus diet displayed a twofold increase in VDR mRNA, but those fed a low-calcium diet exhibited a dramatic decrease in VDR mRNA. These data show that CaBP mRNA and protein levels are modulated in a tightly coupled fashion, and they are consistent with previous conclusions that augmented circulating 1,25-(OH)2D3 stimulates CaBP expression when dietary calcium or phosphorus is limiting. However, a more complex regulation of VDR expression occurs in that low-phosphorus restriction enhances VDR mRNA levels, possibly via increased circulating 1,25-(OH)2D3. Conversely, reduced dietary calcium diminishes VDR mRNA despite increased circulating 1,25-(OH)2D3, indicating that another factor, such as parathyroid hormone, is a predominant downregulator of VDR.

Animals

Two hereditary defects related to vitamin D metabolism map to the same region of human chromosome 12q13-14.

We have localized the locus for the vitamin D receptor (VDR) responsible for hypocalcemic vitamin D-resistant rickets (HVDRR), close to the pseudovitamin D-deficient rickets (PDDR) locus, another disorder related to impaired vitamin D metabolism. PDDR (formerly vitamin D dependency type I, VDD1) was recently mapped to human chromosome 12q14 by linkage analysis. Here we report on the assignment of VDR to 12q13-14 by in situ hybridization and by linkage analysis. Linkage analysis between VDR, PDDR, and several RFLP markers show close linkage, with no recombination (theta = 0) between VDR and PDDR (Z = 1.94), a COL2A1 haplotype (Z = 4.03), ELA1 (Z = 0.98), and D12S15 (Z = 4.17). The analysis of extended haplotypes in one of the PDDR families provides evidence for recombination between VDR and PDDR and localizes VDR together with COL2A1 proximal to PDDR. Complete allelic association detected between VDR and COL2A1 loci on PDDR chromosomes and lower association between VDR and PDDR suggests a VDR location very close to COL2A1 and one more distant to PDDR. We propose the following order of loci: (VDR, COL2A1), (PDDR, ELA1, D12S15), D12S4, (D12S14, D12S17), D12S6. Thus, two clearly distinct loci involved in the control of vitamin D activity map close to each other in the region 12q13-14.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12

Ketoconazole inhibits self-induced metabolism of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and amplifies 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor up-regulation in rat osteosarcoma cells.

Ketoconazole (an inhibitor of vitamin D-24 hydroxylase) was used to study the role of self-induced 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-D3) metabolism on cellular responsiveness to 1,25-D3. Eighteen hours of treatment with 1,25-dihydroxy-[26,27-methyl-3H]vitamin D3 (1,25-[3H]D3) increased total 1,25-D3 receptors (VDR) from 60 to 170 fmol mg/protein. In cells treated with both 1,25-[3H]D3 and ketoconazole, up-regulation of VDR was increased by 40% over that observed with cells receiving 1,25-[3H]D3 alone. Ketoconazole alone had no agonistic activity. Treatment of cells with 1 nM 1,25-[3H]D3 plus increasing doses of ketoconazole (0-30 microM) resulted in a dose-dependent increase in occupied VDR and total VDR. This up-regulation was associated with reduced 1,25-[3H]D3 catabolism. 1,25-[3H]D3-induced up-regulation of VDR typically peaked at 14 h and declined thereafter. Ketoconazole lengthened the time to reach peak VDR up-regulation to 20 h. The ability of ketoconazole to increase cell responsiveness (VDR up-regulation) was the result of both increased and prolonged occupancy of VDR by 1,25-[3H]D3. The t1/2 of occupied VDR was 2 h in the absence of ketoconazole and greater than 7 h when ketoconazole was present. Collectively, these results suggested that self-induced catabolism of 1,25-D3 is an important regulator of VDR occupancy and therefore cellular responsiveness to hormone. These data also demonstrate the usefulness of ketoconazole as an inhibitor of vitamin D hydroxylases in intact cells.

Animals

Lymphocyte cell lines from vitamin D-dependent rickets type II show functional defects in the 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor.

Lymphocyte cell lines were established from five patients with vitamin D-dependent rickets, type II (VDDR-II). These lines were established by infection with human T-lymphotrophic virus type I (HTLV-I). Binding of [3H]1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) to its receptor in these cell lines was compared to binding studies using a T-lymphocyte cell line (S-LB1) from a normal individual. The 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor of S-LB1 was comparable to the well-characterized chick intestinal 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor in terms of its ligand binding affinity and capacity, its mobility on 5-20% sucrose gradients, and its adsorption to and elution properties from DNA-cellulose. Three cell lines established from patients with VDDR-II (Rh-VDR, Sh-VDR, and Ab-VDR) showed no specific binding of 1,25(OH)2D3 to a receptor and treatment of the cultured cells with 1,25(OH)2D3 did not stimulate production of 24,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (24,25(OH)2D3), a response which is diagnostic of the presence of a functional 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor. In a fourth cell line, A1-VDR, the receptor for 1,25(OH)2D3 had a low binding capacity and 25(OH)D3-24-hydroxylase activity was not detectable. Induction of 24,25-(OH)2D3 synthesis by 1,25(OH)2D3 was observed in the fifth cell line, designated Ro-VDR, although the sensitivity to hormone treatment was lower than in the control cell line from a normal donor. The capacity of the receptor for 1,25(OH)2D3 was low in Ro-VDR. In all cell lines where 1,25(OH)2D3 binding to a receptor was detectable, the receptor had the typical sedimentation coefficient of 3.7 S on sucrose density gradient analysis. Binding and elution properties to DNA-cellulose, however, differed from normal in both Ro-VDR and A1-VDR cells where elution from DNA-cellulose occurred at a lower salt concentration than is typical of the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor. While Ro-VDR cells showed typical nuclear localization of the unoccupied 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor, neither the unoccupied nor the occupied receptor from A1-VDR cells was completely localized in the nucleus. In a series of functional studies we found that modulation of the level of the mRNAs coding for both the c-myc oncogene and the growth factor known as granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating activity by 1,25(OH)2D3 correlated with the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor status of these cells. Use of these cell lines will facilitate further study of the molecular defect(s) in the receptor for 1,25(OH)2D3 in vitamin D-dependent rickets type II and will allow a correlation with impairment of cellular functions.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3

Reduction of vitamin D hormone receptor mRNA levels in Alzheimer as compared to Huntington hippocampus: correlation with calbindin-28k mRNA levels.

Receptors for vitamin D hormone (VDR) and the calcium binding protein, calbindin-28k, have been localized in many tissues, including brain. In brain, VDR and calbindin-28k were reported to colocalize in hippocampal CA1 cells. We have shown that mRNA pool size for calbindin-28k was reduced, on average, by 35% in Alzheimer hippocampal CA1 cells, as compared to Huntington control (manuscript in preparation). In the present study, in situ hybridization with tritiated antisense RNA probes was used to examine VDR expression in paired Alzheimer and Huntington brain tissue. Message levels for VDR were reduced, on average, by 34% and 31%, respectively, in Alzheimer hippocampal CA1 and CA2 pyramidal cells, as compared to Huntington control. However, VDR message levels were not significantly different from control in Alzheimer temporal cortex or cerebellum. There was no correlation between VDR message levels and brain weight, autopsy interval, patient age or the extent of neurofibrillary degeneration. Instead, VDR mRNA pool size in hippocampal CA1 cells correlated significantly with calbindin-28k message levels (r = 0.52, P less than 0.001). Decreased message levels for VDR and calbindin-28k in these cells were due to an increased percentage of cells expressing lower message levels for these proteins. These results show that in Alzheimer hippocampal CA1 cells, VDR mRNA pool size is downregulated and that this downregulation may play a role in the reduction of calbindin-28k expression.

Alzheimer Disease

The molecular basis of hereditary 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 resistant rickets in seven related families.

Hereditary 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] resistant rickets (HVDRR) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by target organ resistance to the action of 1,25(OH)2D3, the active form of the hormone. The defect in target cells is heterogenous and commonly appears to be a mutation in the gene encoding the vitamin D receptor (VDR). We have studied cultured skin fibroblasts and Epstein-Barr virus transformed lymphoblasts of seven family branches of an extended kindred having eight children affected with HVDRR. We have previously shown that cells from three affected children in this group contain an "ochre" nonsense mutation coding for a premature stop codon in exon 7 within the steroid-binding domain of the VDR gene. In the current studies, we found that cells from affected children failed to bind [3H]1,25(OH)2D3 and had undetectable levels of VDR as determined by immunoblots using an anti-VDR monoclonal antibody. Measurement of VDR mRNA by hybridization to a human VDR cDNA probe showed undetectable or decreased abundance of steady-state VDR mRNA. Parents, expected to be obligate heterozygotes, showed approximately half the normal levels of [3H]1,25(OH)2D3 binding, VDR protein, and mRNA. The mutation at nucleotide 970 (counting from the mRNA CAP site) results in the conversion of GTAC to GTAA, which eliminates an Rsa I restriction enzyme site and facilitates identification of the mutation. We found that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of exons 7 and 8 from family members and subsequent Rsa I digestion allows detection of the specific genotype of the individuals. When Rsa I digests of PCR-amplified DNA are subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, children with HVDRR exhibit a homozygous banding pattern with loss of an Rsa I site. Parents exhibit a heterozygotic DNA pattern with detection of both normal and mutant alleles. In summary, our data show that the genetic abnormality is a point mutation within the steroid-binding domain of the VDR in all seven related families with HVDRR. Analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism at the 970 locus of PCR-amplified DNA fragments can be used to diagnose this mutation in both affected children and parents carrying the disease.

Blotting, Northern