Studies on the mechanism of action of 1 alpha,24-dihydroxyvitamin D3. III. The specific binding of 1 alpha,24-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to the receptor of chick parathyroid gland

Three protein fractions of the cytosol of the chick parathyroid glands, which had the sedimentation constants of 2.5 S, 3.7 S and 5.5 S, were found to bind with 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Among these proteins, the 3.7 S protein was assumed to be the specific receptor protein. The 3.7 S receptor protein was also capable of binding to 1 alpha,24-dihydroxyvitamin D3 but not 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. The binding affinity of 1 alpha,24(R)-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to the 3.7 S receptor protein was estimated to be 1.2 times greater than that of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, while 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 bound to the receptor protein about 10 times stronger than 1 alpha,24(S)-dihydroxyvitamin D3. The dissociation constant for the receptor-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 complex at 0 degrees C was 2.7 x 10(-11) M, the dissociation constants were calculated to be 2.2 x 10(-11) M and 2.6 x 10(-10) M for the complexes with 1 alpha,24(R)-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 1 alpha,24(S)-dihydroxyvitamin D3.     

Characterization of the 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor from rat intestinal cytosol.

The 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor from rat intestinal cytosol has been partially characterized. Sucrose density gradient sedimentation and analytical gel filtration analyses of this receptor yielded values of 3.1 S, 80,000, and 36 A for the sedimentation coefficient, molecular weight (Mr), and Stokes molecular radius (Rs), respectively. The receptor was found to be a protein by its susceptibility to protease but not nuclease digestion, and studies with N-ethylmaleimide and iodoacetamide revealed the presence of a reduced cysteine residue near the ligand binding site of the receptor. Kinetic and equilibrium binding studies showed an equilibrium dissociation constant of 7.4 x 10(-10) M (4 degrees C), an association rate constant of 1.7 x 10(7) M-1 min-1 (0 degrees C) and a dissociation rate constant of 7.2 x 10(-4) min-1 (4 degrees C, t1/2 = 16 h).     

Characterization of a specific, high affinity binding macromolecule for 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in cultured chick kidney cells

Cytosol prepared from vitamin D3-deficient kidney cells in culture contains a 3.7 S protein that specifically binds 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 with high affinity and low capacity. Whole kidney homogenate cytosol preparations are shown to possess two 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 binding macromolecules. One of the binding proteins sediments at 3.5 to 3.7 S while the second sediments at 6.0 S. The 6.0 S component has a greater affinity for 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 than for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Cultured cell cytosol was found to have little 6.0 S 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 binding protein. Scatchard analysis of the cultured cell cytosol reveals an equilibrium binding constant (KD) of 5.6 x 10 (-11) with 57 fmol of sites/mg of protein. The receptor-like protein has a Mr = 72,000 and as with other steroid receptors it aggregates in the presence of low potassium concentrations. Analog competition for receptor binding reveals the following potency order: 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 > 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 > 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 > 24(R),25-dihydroxyvitamin D3; the receptor had no detectable affinity for vitamin D3. The kidney cells respond to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 by diminishing 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1 alpha-hydroxylation and increasing 24R-hydroxylation. Cultured cells provide a preparation of cytosol which has allowed extensive characterization of the renal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor and should facilitate investigations into the role this receptor plays in renal control of vitamin D3 metabolism.     

Isolation and identification of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-24-oxovitamin D3, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 26,23-lactone, and 1 alpha,24(S),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3: in vivo metabolites of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3

Three new in vivo metabolites of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were isolated from the serum of dogs given large doses (two doses of 1.5 mg/dog) of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. The metabolites were isolated and purified by methanol-chloroform extraction and a series of chromatographic procedures. By cochromatography on a high-performance liquid chromatograph, ultraviolet absorption spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometry, and specific chemical reactions, the metabolites were identified as 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-24- oxovitamin D3, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 26,23-lactone, and 1 alpha,24(S),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3. According to these procedures, the total amounts of the isolated metabolites were as follows: 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 23.6 micrograms; 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-24- oxovitamin D3, 1.8 micrograms; 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 26,23-lactone, 9.2 micrograms; 1 alpha,24(R),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3, 15.4 micrograms; 1 alpha,24(S),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3, 1.0 microgram. With recovery corrections, the serum levels of each metabolite were approximately 49 ng/mL for 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 3.7 ng/mL for 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-24- oxovitamin D3, 19 ng/mL for 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 26,23-lactone, 32 ng/mL for 1 alpha,24(R),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3, and 2.1 ng/mL for 1 alpha,24(S),25-trihydroxyvitamin D3.     

Specific binding of 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to chick intestinal mucosa: 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is an allosteric effector of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 binding

We have previously described a significant decrease in the positive cooperativity level and affinity of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] binding to its chick intestinal chromatin receptor induced in vitro by a physiological 10-fold molar excess of (24R)-25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24R,25(OH)2D3] [F. Wilhelm and A. W. Norman (1985) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 126, 496-501]. In this report, we have initiated a comparative study of the binding of 24R,25(OH)2[3H]D3 and 1,25(OH)2[3H]D3 to the the intestinal chromatin fraction obtained from vitamin D-replete birds. 24R,25(OH)2[3H]D3 specific binding to this chromatin fraction was characterized by a dissociation constant (Kd) of 34.0 +/- 6.4 nM, a positive cooperativity level (nH) of 1.40 +/- 0.13, and a capacity (Bmax) of 47 +/- 8 fmol/mg protein. The very low relative competitive index (RCI) of 24R,25(OH)2D3 (0.11 +/- 0.03%) for the 1,25(OH)2D3 binding site/receptor, as well as the inability of 1,25(OH)2D3 to displace 24R,25(OH)2D3 from its binding site at a physiological molar ratio of 1:10, strongly suggest the independence of 24R,25(OH)2D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 binding sites. Stereospecificity of the 24R,25(OH)2D3 binding sites was attested by the displacement of only 45 +/- 6% of 24R,25(OH)2D3 specific binding by equimolar concentrations of 24S,25(OH)2D3. Collectively these results suggest the existence of a binding domain/receptor for 24,25(OH)2D3 in the chick intestine which is independent of the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor.     

The stereochemical configuration of the natural 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone

Four possible diastereoisomers of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone were chemically synthesized and compared with the natural metabolite by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The four synthetic diastereoisomers of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone could be separated into three peaks by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The naturally occurring 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone isolated from dog serum and in vitro incubation of chick kidney homogenates comigrated with 23(S)25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone. The four diastereoisomers of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone were tested against naturally occurring 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone to determine their relative competition in the 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-specific cytosol receptor binding assay for 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. 23(S)25(S)-1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone was the best competitor followed by 23(R)25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone and 23(R)25(S)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone, and 23(S)25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone was the poorest competitor. Natural 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone isolated from dog serum had almost the same binding affinity as that of 23(S)25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone. These data unequivocally demonstrate that the stereochemistry of the natural 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone has the 23(S) and 25(R) configuration.     

24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 regulates 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 binding to its chick intestinal receptor

We have studied the binding of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] to its crude chromatin chick intestinal receptor in the absence or presence of a ten-fold excess of 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24R,25(OH)2D3] for each concentration of [3H]-1,25(OH)2D3 studied. We have found a significant shift to the right in the binding of 1,25(OH)2D3 to its receptor in the presence of this excess of 24R,25(OH)2D3. As a result, the affinity was found to be significantly reduced, the apparent dissociation constants varied from 0.97 +/- 0.09 (n = 5) to 1.36 +/- 0.04 nM (p less than 0.01). This reduction was related to a significant decrease in the positive cooperativity for the apparent Hill coefficient from nH = 1.49 +/- 0.06 to nH = 1.26 +/- 0.06 (p less than 0.03) in the binding of 1,25(OH)2D3 to its receptor. There was no significant change in the capacity of the receptor (189 +/- 11 compared to 200 +/- 9 fmoles/mg protein). These results suggest that the intestinal 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor must also have a binding recognition site for 24R,25(OH)2D3 which is postulated to play a regulatory role in the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor's ligand binding properties.     

Intestinal synthesis of 24-keto-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. A metabolite formed in vivo with high affinity for the vitamin D cytosolic receptor

24-Keto-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 has been identified as an intestinal metabolite of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 by ultraviolet absorbance, mass spectroscopy, and chemical reactivity. The metabolite was produced from 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 1,24R,25-trihydroxyvitamin D3 in rat intestinal mucosa homogenates. 24-Keto-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is present in vivo in the plasma and small intestinal mucosa of rats fed a stock diet, receiving no exogenous 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and in the plasma and small intestinal mucosa of rats dosed chronically with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. 24-Keto-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 has affinity equivalent to 1,24R,25-trihydroxyvitamin D3 for the 3.7 S cytosolic receptor specific for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the intestine and thymus. In cytosolic preparations contaminated with the 5 S vitamin D-binding protein, both metabolites are about 7-fold less potent than 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. In contrast, in cytosolic preparations largely free of the 5 S binding protein, both metabolites are equipotent with the parent compound. No evidence was obtained supporting a substantial presence of 23-keto-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in vivo; nor was the latter compound generated in detectable amounts from 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 by intestinal homogenates. Thus, C-24 oxidation is a significant pathway of intestinal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 metabolism that produces metabolites with high affinity for the cytosolic receptor which mediates vitamin D action.     

Metabolic pathways from 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone. Stereo-retained and stereo-selective lactonization

The present study was carried out in order to elucidate the metabolic pathway from 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 to 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone. For that purpose, we stereospecifically synthesized the vitamin D3 derivatives 1 alpha,23(S),25-(OH)3D3, 1 alpha,23(S),25(R),26-tetrahydroxyvitamin D3, and 23(S),25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-lactol. The in vitro metabolism of these compounds was examined in kidney homogenates and intestinal mucosa homogenates from 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3-supplemented chicks. The naturally occurring 23(S),25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone was produced (in increasing amounts) from 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3, 1 alpha,25(R),26-(OH)3D3, 1 alpha,23(S),25-(OH),D3, 1 alpha,23(S),25(R),26-(OH)4D3, and 23(S),25(R)-1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3-26,23-lactol. These results indicated that there are two possible metabolic pathways from 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 to 1 alpha,23(S),25(R),26-(OH)4D3: the major one is by way of 1 alpha,23(S),25-(OH)3D3 and the minor one is by way of 1 alpha,25(R),26-(OH)3D3. 1 alpha,23(S),25(R),26-Tetrahydroxyvitamin D3 is further metabolized to 23(S),25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone via 23(S),25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactol. In the course of our studies, a new biosynthetic vitamin D3 metabolite was isolated in pure form. This metabolite was identified as 23(S),25(R)-1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3-26,23-lactol by UV spectrophotometry and mass spectrometry. Furthermore, we establish in this report that the lactonization of 1 alpha,23,25,26-(OH)4D3 and 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3-26,23-lactol occurs in a stereo-retained and stereo-selective fashion.     

Biological activity assessment of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone in the rat

1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone [1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone] was compared to 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha,25(OH)2D3] in terms of their stimulation, in vivo, of intestinal calcium transport and mobilization of calcium from bone in the rat (the two classic vitamin D-mediated responses), and their relative binding to the chick intestinal receptor for 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone was found to be only one-thirtieth as active as 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 in the stimulation of intestinal calcium transport and was found to mediate a significant reduction in the steady-state serum calcium levels. Associated with the reduction in serum calcium was a significant increase in urinary calcium excretion for 24 h after the administration of the steroid. Prior administration of 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone partially blocked the actions of a subsequently administered dose of 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 in increasing serum calcium levels, but did not affect the action of 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 in stimulating intestinal calcium transport. The binding affinity of 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone to the chick intestinal cytosol receptor protein was observed to be 670 times lower than that of 1,25-(OH)2D3 which indicates that perturbation of the 25-hydroxylated side chain by formation of the 26,23-lactone causes a significant reduction in ligand affinity for the receptor.     

Antagonistic action of novel 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26, 23-lactone analogs on differentiation of human leukemia cells (HL-60) induced by 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

We examined the effects of two novel 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone (1alpha,25-lactone) analogues on human promyelocytic leukemia cell (HL-60) differentiation using the evaluation system of the vitamin D nuclear receptor (VDR)/vitamin D-responsive element (DRE)-mediated genomic action stimulated by 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha,25(OH)2D3) and its analogues. We found that the 1alpha,25-lactone analogues (23S)-25-dehydro-1alpha-hydroxyvitamin-D3-26,23-lactone (TEI-9647), and (23R)-25-dehydro-1alpha-hydroxyvitamin-D3-26,23-lactone (TEI-9648) bound much more strongly to the VDR than the natural (23S, 25R)-1alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone, but did not induce cell differentiation even at high concentrations (10(-6) M). Intriguingly, the differentiation of HL-60 cells induced by 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 was inhibited by either TEI-9647 or TEI-9648 but not by the natural lactone. In contrast, retinoic acid or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced HL-60 cell differentiation was not blocked by TEI-9647 or TEI-9648. In separate studies, TEI-9647 (10(-7) M) was found to be an effective antagonist of both 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 (10(-8) M) mediated induction of p21(WAF1, CIP1) in HL-60 cells and activation of the luciferase reporter assay in COS-7 cells transfected with cDNA containing the DRE of the rat 25(OH)D3-24-hydroxylase gene and cDNA of the human VDR. Collectively the results strongly suggest that our novel 1alpha,25-lactone analogues, TEI-9647 and TEI-9648, are specific antagonists of 1alpha, 25(OH)2D3 action, specifically VDR/DRE-mediated genomic action. As such, they represent the first examples of antagonists, which act on the nuclear VDR.     

Biological activity of 24,24-difluoro-1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone in inducing differentiation of human myeloid leukemia cells

Vitamin D compounds added to the culture medium induce differentiation of human myeloid leukemia cells (HL-60 cells) by binding to a specific cytosol receptor protein. This system provides a biologically relevant and technically simple assay to examine the relationship between molecular structure and biological activity of vitamin D compounds. Using this culture system, the biological activity of 24,24-F2-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 and 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone was assayed. 24,24-F2-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 was four to seven times more potent than 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 in inducing phagocytosis and C3 rosette formation of HL-60 cells, though both compounds bound equally well to the cytosol receptor, suggesting that the defuorination at the 24-carbon position may stimulate membrane permeability of the compound. 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone, on the other hand, was only 1/200th as active as 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3. The binding affinity of the lactone for the cytosol receptor was identical with that of 1 alpha (OH)D3, suggesting that the lactone formation between the 26 and 23 positions masks the function of the 25-hydroxyl group. The binding affinity of vitamin D3 derivatives to the specific cytosol receptor of HL-60 cells was well correlated with that of intestinal cytosol protein specifically bound to 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3.     

Metabolism of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) in vitamin D receptor-ablated mice in vivo

The metabolism of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) was studied in vitamin D receptor-ablated mice following the administration of a physiological dose of 1alpha,25-dihydroxy-[26,27-(3)H]vitamin D(3). The degradation of 1alpha,25-dihydroxy-[26,27-(3)H]vitamin D(3) in the vitamin D receptor null mutant mice was substantially reduced compared to the wild-type control mice. At 24 h postadministration of radiolabeled 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) more than 50% of the radioactivity was recovered unmetabolized, whereas in wild-type mice nearly all of the 1alpha,25-dihydroxy-[26,27-(3)H]vitamin D(3) was degraded. In wild-type mice three polar metabolites other than 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) were detected and identified on straight-phase and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography as 1alpha,24(R),25-trihydroxy-[26,27-(3)H]vitamin D(3), 1alpha,25(S),26-trihydroxy-[26,27-(3)H]vitamin D(3), and (23S, 25R)-1alpha,25-dihydroxy-[(3)H]vitamin D(3)-26,23-lactone. Only one metabolite was detected in the plasma and kidneys of vitamin D receptor null mutant mice at 3 h following an intrajugular dose of 1alpha,25-dihydroxy-[26,27-(3)H]vitamin D(3). This metabolite was clearly identified as 1alpha,25(S),26-trihydroxy-[26,27-(3)H]vitamin D(3) by comigration on two HPLC systems and periodate cleavage reaction. At 6, 12, and 24 h postinjection 1alpha,24(R), 25-trihydroxy-[26,27-(3)H]vitamin D(3) was also detected at low levels in plasma, kidneys, and liver of some but not all mutant mice. The presence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3)-24-hydroxylase mRNA in the kidneys of these vitamin D receptor null mutant mice was confirmed by ribonuclease protection assay.     

The chick intestinal cytosol binding protein for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3: A study of analog binding

The structural features of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ that permit its high affinity binding to a 3.7 S protein from chick intestinal cytosol were determined in a series of binding and competition experiments analyzed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Optimal binding to the 3.7 S protein was achieved when both 1α- and 25-hydroxyls were present in the vitamin D₃ molecule. Modification of the side chain by the introduction of a methyl on C-24 and a double bond on C-22,23 (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₂) did not alter the binding of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, but significantly diminished the binding of 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃. However, introduction of a hydroxyl on C-24 decreased the ability of either 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ or 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ to compete, especially when the 24-hydroxyl was in the S configuration. These results reveal that the 3.7 S protein requires specific ligand structural features for binding and suggest that metabolite discrimination by the chick intestinal receptor system is likely located in the 3.7 S cytosol protein.     

Physiological significance of C-28 hydroxylation in the metabolism of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(2).

In our previous study, we indicated for the first time that C-28 hydroxylation plays a significant role in the metabolism of 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(2) [1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(2)] by identifying 1alpha,24(S),25,28-tetrahydroxyvitamin D(2) [1alpha,24(S),25, 28(OH)(4)D(2)] as a major renal metabolite of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(2) [G. S. Reddy and K-Y. Tserng Biochemistry 25, 5328-5336, 1986]. The present study was performed to establish the physiological significance of C-28 hydroxylation in the metabolism of 1alpha, 25(OH)(2)D(2). We perfused rat kidneys in vitro with 1alpha, 25(OH)(2)[26,27-(3)H]D(2) (5 x 10(-10)M) and demonstrated that 1alpha,24(R),25-trihydroxyvitamin D(2) [1alpha,24(R),25(OH)(3)D(2)] and 1alpha,24(S),25,28(OH)(4)D(2) are the only two major physiological metabolites of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(2). In the same perfusion experiments, we also noted that there is no conversion of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(2) into 1alpha,25,28-trihydroxyvitamin D(2 )[1alpha,25,28(OH)(3)D(2)]. Moreover, 1alpha,24(S),25,28(OH)(4)D(2) is not formed in the perfused rat kidney when synthetic 1alpha,25, 28(OH)(3)D(2) is used as the starting substrate. This finding indicates that C-28 hydroxylation of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(2) occurs only after 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(2) is hydroxylated at C-24 position. At present the enzyme responsible for the C-28 hydroxylation of 1alpha, 24(R),25(OH)(3)D(2) in rat kidney is not known. Recently, it was found that 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3)-24-hydroxylase (CYP24) can hydroxylate carbons 23, 24, and 26 of various vitamin D(3) compounds. Thus, it may be speculated that CYP24 may also be responsible for the C-28 hydroxylation of 1alpha,24(R),25(OH)(3)D(2) to form 1alpha, 24(S),25,28(OH)(4)D(2). The biological activity of 1alpha,24(S),25, 28(OH)(4)D(2), determined by its ability to induce intestinal calcium transport and bone calcium resorption in the rat, was found to be almost negligible. Also, 1alpha,24(S),25,28(OH)(4)D(2) exhibited very low binding affinity toward bovine thymus vitamin D receptor. These studies firmly establish that C-28 hydroxylation is an important enzymatic reaction involved in the inactivation of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(2) in kidney under physiological conditions.     

Increased intestinal chromatin template activity. Influence of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and hormone-receptor complexes.

1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 administration to rachitic chicks results in an increase in the chromatin template activity of intestinal target tissue assayed in vitro using Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. The maximum stimulation of template capacity was 12 to 20% over control values and occurred 2 hours after administration of the sterol. This rapid effect preceded the biologic response to 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the intestine and was not observed in other tissues such as liver or kidney. The in vivo enhancement of intestinal chromatin template activity was specific for the 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 hormone in that equivalent doses of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 or vitamin D3 did not elicit a response in 2 to 3 hours. Only 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3, a synthetic sterol which is very rapidly metabolized to the 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 form, was able to minic the natural hormone in vivo. To further elucidate the nuclear mechanism of action of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, the hormone was preincubated at 0 degrees with intestinal cytosol to form hormone-receptor complexes. After addition of the hormone-receptor complexes to purified intestinal mucosa nuclei and incubation for 1 hour at 25 degrees, chromatin isolated from this reconstituted system displayed a significant increase in template activity as compared to chromatin prepared from similar in vitro incubations not containing hormone. This stimulation was 12 to 24% over control values and exhibited an absolute requirement for intestinal cell cytosol. The response was specific for physiologic levels of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, but occurred with pharmacologic doses of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. It is concluded that a stimulation of the chromatin template activity of intestinal target tissue by 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 may be an integral part of the ultimate physiologic response of enhanced calcium transport.     

Effect of dithiothreitol on the 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 chick intestinal receptor analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

This is the first report of the use of non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) to measure the apparent molecular weight of the chick intestinal 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1, 25-(OH)2 - D3) receptor and to study the effect of dithiothreitol on it. When prepared in the absence of this factor, chick intestinal cytosol contained one major specific 1,25 - (OH)2 - D3 binding peak. Its apparent molecular weight was 95,200 +/- 1,900 (SD) daltons. Preparation of the cytosol in the presence of 5 mM dithiothreitol resulted in the appearance, besides the 95,000 daltons peak, of an additional 1,25 - (OH)2 - D3 binding peak, the molecular weight of which was 73,600 +/- 3,300 (SD). This effect of dithiothreitol could be suppressed by the simultaneous addition of 10 mM N alpha-p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TAME), a protease inhibitor.     

Synthesis and biological activity of 1 alpha,23,25,26-tetrahydroxyvitamin D3

The metabolic pathway from 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3] to 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone includes the formation of 1 alpha,23,25-26-tetrahydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha,23,25,26-(OH)4D3]. The aim of the current study was to explore the as yet unknown biological properties of this vitamin D3 sterol. The four diastereoisomers of 1 alpha,23,25,26-(OH)4D3 were chemically synthesized. They were compared to 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 in terms of their affinity for the chick intestinal 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 receptor and their biologic activity in vivo (stimulation of intestinal calcium absorption and mobilization of calcium from bone in vitamin D-deficient rats). The 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor binding affinities of 1 alpha,23(R)25(R)26-(OH)4D3, 1 alpha,23(S)25(S)26-(OH)4 D3, 1 alpha,23(S)25(R)26-(OH)4D3, and 1 alpha,23(R)25(S)26-(OH)4D3 were 11, 100, 216, and 443 times weaker than the binding affinity of 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3, respectively. Compared to 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3, the relative capacities of the 1 alpha,23,25,26-(OH)4D3 compounds to stimulate intestinal calcium absorption were 1/4 for 1 alpha,23(R)25(R)26-(OH)4D3; 1/19 for 1 alpha,23(S)25(S)26-(OH)4D3; 1/90 for 1 alpha,23(S)25(R)26-(OH)4D3; and 1/136 for 1 alpha,23(R)25(S)26-(OH)4D3. Maximal stimulation of intestinal calcium transport occurred 8 h after administration of vitamin D3 metabolites. Mobilization of calcium from bone was quantitated by serum calcium concentration measurements. The activities of 1 alpha,23(R)25(R)26-(OH)4D3, 1 alpha,23(S)25(S)26-(OH)4D3, 1 alpha,23(S)25(R)26-(OH)4D3, and 1 alpha,23(R)25(S)26-(OH)4D3 to increase serum calcium were estimated to be 4, 13, 43, and 69 times weaker than that of 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3, respectively. These results illustrate the stereospecificity of the chicken intestine 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 receptor for binding of 1 alpha,23,25,26-(OH)4D3 and suggest that the 1 alpha,23,25,26-(OH)4D3 exerts its biological activity in the rat through an interaction with 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors. In summary, the 1 alpha,23,25,26-(OH)4D3 had a markedly lower biological activity than 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3.     

Synthesis and biological activity of 22-iodo- and (E)-20(22)-dehydro analogues of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3

Construction of 25-hydroxy-steroidal side chain substituted with iodine at C-22 was elaborated on a model PTAD-protected steroidal 5,7-diene and applied to a synthesis of (22R)- and (22S)-22-iodo-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Configuration at C-22 in the iodinated vitamins, obtained by nucleophilic substitution of the corresponding 22S-tosylates with sodium iodide, was determined by comparison of their iodine-displacement processes and cyclizations leading to isomeric five-membered (22,25)-epoxy-1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 compounds. Also, 20(22)-dehydrosteroids have been obtained and their structures established by 1H NMR spectroscopy. When compared to the natural hormone, (E)-20(22)-dehydro-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was found 4 times less potent in binding to the porcine intestinal vitamin D receptor (VDR) and 2 times less effective in differentiation of HL-60 cells. 22-Iodinated vitamin D analogues showed somewhat lower in vitro activity, whereas (22,25)-epoxy analogues were inactive. Interestingly, it was established that (22S)-22-iodo-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was 3 times more potent than its (22R)-isomer in binding to VDR and four times more effective in HL-60 cell differentiation assay. The restricted mobility of the side chain of both 22-iodinated vitamin D compounds was analyzed by a systematic conformational search indicating different spatial regions occupied by their 25-oxygen atoms. Preliminary data on the in vivo calcemic activity of the synthesized vitamin D analogues indicate that (E)-20(22)-dehydro-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 22-iodo-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 isomers were ca. ten times less potent than the natural hormone 1alpha,25-(OH)2D3 both in intestinal calcium transport and bone calcium mobilization.     

Metabolic studies using recombinant escherichia coli cells producing rat mitochondrial CYP24 CYP24 can convert 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to calcitroic acid.

Previously we expressed rat 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 24-hydroxylase (CYP24) cDNA in Escherichia coli JM109 and showed that CYP24 catalyses three-step monooxygenation towards 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [Akiyoshi-Shibata, M., Sakaki, T., Ohyama, Y., Noshiro, M., Okuda, K. & Yabusaki, Y. (1994) Eur. J. Biochem. 224, 335-343]. In this study, we demonstrate further oxidation by CYP24 including four- and six-step monooxygenation towards 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, respectively. When the substrate 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was added to a culture of recombinant E. coli, four metabolites, 24, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 24-oxo-25-hydroxyvitamin D3, 24-oxo-23, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 24,25,26,27-tetranor-23-hydroxyvitamin D3 were observed. These results indicate that CYP24 catalyses at least four-step monooxygenation toward 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Furthermore, in-vivo and in-vitro metabolic studies on 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 clearly indicated that CYP24 catalyses six-step monooxygenation to convert 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 into calcitroic acid which is known as a final metabolite of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 for excretion in bile. These results strongly suggest that CYP24 is largely responsible for the metabolism of both 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.