Metabolism and binding properties of 24,24-difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D3

To evaluate possible functional roles for 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, 24,24-difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ has been synthesized and shown to be equally as active as 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ in all known functions of vitamin D. The use of the difluoro compound for this purpose is based on the assumption that the C-F bonds are stable in vivo and that the fluorine atom does not act as hydroxyl in biological systems. No 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ was detected in the serum obtained from vitamin D-deficient rats that had been given 24,24-difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D₃, while large amounts were found when 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ was given. Incubation of the 24,24-difluoro compound with kidney homogenate prepared from vitamin D-replete chickens failed to produce 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, while the same preparations produced large amounts of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ from 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃. Kidney homogenate prepared from vitamin D-deficient chickens produced 24,24-difluoro-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ from 24,24-difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ from 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃. In binding to the plasma transport protein for vitamin D compounds, 24,24-difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ is less active than 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ and 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃. In binding to the chick intestinal cytosol receptor, 24,24-difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ is more active than 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ which is itself more active than 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃. The 24,24-difluoro-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ is equal to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, and both are 10 times more active than 1,24R,25-trihydroxyvitamin D₃ in this system. These results provide strong evidence that the C-24 carbon of 24,24-difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ cannot be hydroxylated in vivo, and, further, the 24-F substitution acts similar to H and not to OH in discriminating binding systems for vitamin D compounds.     

Rat plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 binding protein: An inhibitor of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1 α-hydroxylase

An antibody was prepared from serum of rabbits injected with a pure inhibitor protein obtained from rat serum for chick renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃-1α-hydroxylase. The antibody was separated from the endogenous inhibitor in rabbit serum. The antibody shows a single precipitin line with the rat serum antigen and with crude calf serum. Furthermore, the antibody removes the 4.0 S 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ binding protein from rat serum. The removal of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ binding protein from rat serum with antibody brings about a proportionate removal of inhibitor of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃-1α-hydroxylase. The pure inhibitor binds 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃, as demonstrated by sucrose density gradient sedimentation, and shows specificity of binding identical to the serum transport globulin for 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃. Thus, the previously reported inhibitor of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃-1α-hydroxylase in rat preparations is the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ transport protein or some derivative thereof. The antibody added to rat renal mitochondrial preparations does increase the activity of the 1- and 24-hydroxylases slightly but not markedly.     

Biological activity of 24,24-difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Effect of blocking of 24-hydroxylation on the functions of vitamin D.

To examine the question of whether 24-hydroxylation plays and importance role in the physiological functions of vitamin D, the biological activity of 24,24-difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D was compared with that of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in vitamin D-deficient rats. These two compounds were found almost identically active in the stimulation of intestinal calcium transport, the mobilization of calcium from bone, the healing of rachitic epiphyseal plate cartilage, the elevation of serum inorganic phosphorus, the mineralization of rachitic bone, and in the prevention of rachitogenesis in rats. Little or no difference was detected in the time course of response of intestinal calcium transport or bone calcium mobilization to the two forms of vitamin D. Therefore, in the rat no support could be obtained for the idea that 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 plays an important role in the known physiological responses to the vitamin.     

Assay and properties of rat yolk sac 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1 alpha-hydroxylase

An in vitro assay has been developed for the rat yolk sac 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1 alpha-hydroxylase (1 alpha-hydroxylase). The subcellular location and some properties of the enzyme are described. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 produced from incubations of yolk sac homogenates was extracted, purified by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography and straight- and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and measured by a competitive binding assay using chick intestinal receptor. The reaction is linear with time for up to 45 min at a substrate concentration of 80 microM and 4-6 mg/mL microsomal protein. The enzyme, located in the microsomes, requires molecular oxygen and NADPH. Metyrapone (1 X 10(-3) M) was found to inhibit 1-hydroxylation, but a 90% carbon monoxide-10% oxygen atmosphere did not, leaving open the question of involvement of cytochrome P-450. Diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, a lipid peroxidase inhibitor, inhibited 1 alpha-hydroxylation.     

Biological activity assessment of the 26,23-lactones of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and their binding properties to chick intestinal receptor and plasma vitamin D binding protein

The binding of the natural and unnatural diastereoisomers 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone to the vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] chick intestinal receptor have been investigated. Also, the biological activities, under in vivo conditions, of these compounds, in terms of intestinal calcium absorption (ICA) and bone calcium mobilization (BCM), in the chick are reported. The presence of the lactone ring in the C23-C26 position of the seco-steroid side chain increased two to three times the ability of both 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 to displace 25(OH)[3H]D3 from the D-binding protein; however, the DBP could not distinguish between the various diastereoisomers. In contrast, the unnatural form (23R,25S) of the 25-hydroxy-lactone was found to be 10-fold more potent than the natural form, and the unnatural (23R,25S)1,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone three times more potent than the natural 1,25-dihydroxy-lactone in displacing 1,25(OH)2[3H]D3 from its intestinal receptor. While studying the biological activity of these lactone compounds, it was found that the natural form of the 25-hydroxy-lactone increased the intestinal calcium absorption 48 h after injection (16.25 nmol), while bone calcium mobilization was decreased by the same dose of the 25-hydroxy-lactone. The 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone in both its natural and unnatural forms was found to be active in stimulating ICA and BCM. These results suggest that the 25-hydroxy-lactone has some biological activity in the chick and that 1,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone can mediate ICA and BCM biological responses, probably through an interaction with 1,25-(OH)2D3 specific receptors in these target tissues.     

Subcellular location and properties of rat renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase

The subcellular location and some properties of the rat kidney 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase are described. Enzyme activity can be measured as previously discussed (Tanaka, Y., and DeLuca, H.F. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 78, 196-199) using saturating substrate (25-hydroxyvitamin D3) concentrations. The reaction is linear with time for up to 30 min at a substrate concentration of 80 microM and 9-11 mg/ml mitochondrial protein. The enzyme, located in the mitochondria, requires molecular oxygen and a source of NADPH. Succinate supplies NADPH for 1 alpha-hydroxylation through reversal of electron transport and transhydrogenation as shown by inhibition with antimycin A and dinitrophenol. Malate supplies NADPH for the reaction via the mitochondrial malic enzyme or malate dehydrogenase and transhydrogenase as indicated by the lack of inhibition by antimycin A but inhibition with dinitrophenol. Metyrapone and carbon monoxide both inhibit 1 alpha-hydroxylation indicating the involvement of cytochrome P-450. Diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, a lipid peroxidase inhibitor, has no effect on 1 alpha-hydroxylation.     

Calvarial cells synthesize 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 from 25-hydroxyvitamin D3

A metabolite of vitamin D has been isolated in pure form from incubation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 with embryonic chick calvarial cells that had been grown on Cytodex 1 microcarrier beads. The isolation involved dichloromethane extraction of the cells and incubation medium, followed by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography of the extract. The metabolite was identified as 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 by means of ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and sensitivity to oxidation by periodate. This metabolite was not produced by cell-free medium or by cells from embryonic chick liver, skin, or heart. In conclusion, (1) kidney cells are not unique in having 25-hydroxyvitamin D3:1 alpha-hydroxylase activity as previously believed and (2) vitamin D target tissues such as the skeleton may play a direct role in mediating the metabolism of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, a vitamin D metabolite active at those sites.     

Species differences in the binding kinetics of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to vitamin D binding protein

The specific binding of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to its binding protein was studied in serum of the human, rhesus monkey, cow, horse, and rat. The free fraction of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in the rat was 0.34 +/- 0.15 pmol free/nmol total (+/- SD) and this was lower than in any of the other species (p less than 0.01). In the human, the free fraction was 1.5 +/- 0.32 pmol free/nmol total, which was higher than in any of the other species (p less than 0.001). The differences in the free fraction were mainly due to differences in dissociation constant. The relative levels of free 25-hydroxyvitamin D should be taken into account when extrapolating findings about vitamin D metabolism in animals to the human. A technical outcome of this study is that of the species tested, vitamin D binding protein from rat serum is the most suitable as a reagent component for methods used to measure total 25-hydroxyvitamin D by competitive protein binding assay.     

Photoaffinity labeling of serum vitamin D binding protein by 3-deoxy-3-azido-25-hydroxyvitamin D3

3-Deoxy-3-azido-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was covalently incorporated in the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 binding site of purified human plasma vitamin D binding protein. Competition experiments showed that 3-deoxy-3-azido-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 bind at the same site on the protein. Tritiated 3-deoxy-3-azido-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was synthesized from tritiated 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, retaining the high specific activity of the parent compound. The tritiated azido label bound reversibly to human vitamin D binding protein in the dark and covalently to human vitamin D binding protein after exposure to ultraviolet light. Reversible binding of tritiated 3-deoxy-3-azido-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was compared to tritiated 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 binding to human vitamin D binding protein. Scatchard analysis of the data indicated equivalent maximum density binding sites with a KD,app of 0.21 nM for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and a KD,app of 1.3 nM for the azido derivative. Covalent binding was observed only after exposure to ultraviolet irradiation, with an average of 3% of the reversibly bound label becoming covalently bound to vitamin D binding protein. The covalent binding was reduced 70-80% when 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was present, indicating strong covalent binding at the vitamin D binding site of the protein. When tritiated 3-deoxy-3-azido-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was incubated with human plasma in the absence and presence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, 12% of the azido derivative was reversibly bound to vitamin D binding protein. After ultraviolet irradiation, four plasma proteins covalently bound the azido label, but vitamin D binding protein was the only protein of the four that was unlabeled in the presence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.     

Enzymatic properties of mouse 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1 alpha-hydroxylase expressed in Escherichia coli.

Renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1 alpha-hydroxylase cDNA cloned from the kidneys of mice lacking the vitamin D receptor was expressed in Escherichia coli JM109. As expected, the bacterially-expressed enzyme catalyzes the 1 alpha-hydroxylation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 with a Michaelis constant, K(m), value of 2.7 microM. Unexpectedly, the enzyme also hydroxylates the 1 alpha-position of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 with a K(m) of 1.3 microM, and a fourfold higher Vmax/K(m) compared with the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 hydroxylase activity, suggesting that 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is a better substrate than 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 for 1 alpha-hydroxylase. In addition, the enzyme showed 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity toward 24-oxo-25-hydroxyvitamin D3. However, it showed only slight activity towards 23,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 24-oxo-23,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and no detectable activity towards vitamin D3 and 24,25,26,27-tetranor-23-hydroxyvitamin D3. These results suggest that the 25-hydroxyl group of vitamin D3 is essential for the 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity and the 24-hydroxyl group enhances the activity, but the 23-hydroxyl group greatly reduced the activity. Another remarkable finding is that living recombinant E. coli cells can convert the substrates into the 1 alpha-hydroxylated products, suggesting the presence of a redox partner of 1 alpha-hydroxylase in E. coli cells.     

Origin of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 binding protein from tissue cytosol preparations.

The 6 S, cytosolic 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ binding protein found in several rat tissues reacts with an antibody directed to the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ transport protein. The 6 S “cytosolic” protein is not found in carefully washed intestinal mucosal cells isolated from chicks and rats, but can be made to appear by adding serum to the cytosol itself or to the cells prior to homogenization. On the other hand, the rat intestinal 3.2 S cytosol binding protein for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ does not react with the antibody to the serum transport protein. Thus the 6 S, 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ binding protein does not appear to be a physiologically significant substance, but rather the result of the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ transport protein interacting with a cytosolic protein in vitro.     

24,24-Difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D3-enhanced bone mineralization in rats. Comparison with 25-hydroxyvitamin3 and vitamin D3

The biological activity of 24,24-difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ was assessed using elevation of serum phosphorus and healing of rickets of vitamin D-deficient rats. Various levels of 24,24-difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ were administered daily for 2 weeks in the dose range of 6.5 to 3250 pmol after feeding rats a low phosphorus, vitamin D-deficient diet for 3 weeks. Vitamin D₃ was concurrently tested at dose levels of 650 and 3250 pmol. 24,24-Difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ is approximately equipotent with 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ in stimulation of growth, mineralization of rachitic bone, and elevation of serum inorganic phosphorus. Radiological manifestations of rickets were also equally improved by 24,24-difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃. Compared with vitamin D₃, these compounds were approximately 5 to 10 times more active in mineralization using rats on a low phosphorus, vitamin D-deficient diet. The functional role, if any, for 24-hydroxylated vitamin D compounds, such as 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, therefore remains obscure. It appears that vitamin D compounds that cannot be 24-hydroxylated evoke no disorder in bone mineralization.     

Individual quantitation of vitamin D2, vitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in human milk

Extraction, lipid-reduction, and chromatographic methods suitable for the resolution and subsequent quantitation of vitamin D2, vitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 from human milk are described. This procedure utilizes a methanol:methylene chloride extraction, precipitation of unwanted lipids with cold methanol and ether, backwash with alkaline buffer, silica Sep-Pak preparative chromatography, normal- and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with final quantitation of the antirachitic sterols by competitive protein binding assay. The described assay was used to determine these antirachitic sterols in milk from women receiving various supplements of vitamin D or undergoing ultraviolet phototherapy.     

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.     

Hepatic accumulation of vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.

Concomitant intravenous administration of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and [3H] vitamin D3 to vitamin D-depleted rats did not affect the conversion of [3H] vitamin D3 to 25-OH-[3H] vitamin D3 as indicated by a serum 25-OH-[3H] vitamin D3 to content at 3 and 24 h identical to those observed in animals receiving [3H] vitamin D3 alone. Similarly, pre-dosing with 25-OH vitamin D3 24 h earlier did not affect the conversion. Co-administration to vitamin D depleted rats of vitamin D2 or D3, at 200-fold higher doses than a control group receiving tracer [3H] vitamin D3 alone, resulted in serum 25-OH vitamin D levels that were 15-20 fold higher than the control, indicating a similar metabolic fate for synthetic and natural vitamin D in rats and the ability of increased substrate to overwhelm hepatic constraints on 25-OH vitamin D production. Following intravenous administration of 25-OH-[3H] vitamin D3 to vitamin D depleted rats, hepatic 3H content decreased in parallel with serum radioactivity. Hepatic accumulation of intravenously administered vitamin D3 ([14C] vitamin D3) alone or with 25-OH-[3H] vitamin D3, by vitamin D-depleted rats revealed a marked preference for vitamin D3; the hepatic accumulation of [14C] vitamin D3 increased to 35% of the dose by 45 min, at which time 25-OH-[3H] vitamin D3 hepatic content was 7-fold less, and decreasing. Chromatography of extracts of hepatic subcellular fractions revealed more [14C] vitamin D3 than 25-OH-[3H] vitamin D3 in the microsomes, the reported site of calciferol 25-hydroxylase. Circulating 25-OH vitamin D, therefore, has comparatively minimal potential for hepatic accumulation. Product inhibition of the calciferol 25-hydroxylase must, therefore, result from recently synthesized hepatic 25-OH vitamin D, and is not affected by exogenous 25-OH vitamin D3.     

Metabolism of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and its regulation in rats during hypokinesis

The influence of short-(7 days) and long-term (28 days) hypokinesia on 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 metabolism was investigated in rats fed on a normal calcium (0.6%), normal phosphorus (0.6%), vitamin D-supplemented diet. The animals were given a single intraperitoneal dose of tritiated [26,27-3H]25(OH)D3 (200 pmol) eighteen hours before sacrifice. [3H]Labelled vitamin D3 metabolites were separated by high performance liquid chromatographic procedure, and their radioactivity levels in serum, kidney, intestinal mucosa and femoral bone were measured. Long-term hypokinesia resulted in decreased levels of [3H]1.25(OH)2D3 and increased levels of [3H]24.25(OH)2D3 in serum and kidney (3.15 +/- 0.62 vs. 4.33 +/- 0.41% and 5.34 +/- 0.69 vs. 3.76 +/- 0.29% for [3H]1.25(OH)2D3 and [3H]24.25(OH)2D3 in serum; 7.52 +/- 0.69 vs. 11.6 +/- 0.79% and 9.33 +/- 0.55 vs. 5.94 +/- 0.24% for those in kidney). The levels of [3H]1.25(OH)2D3 as well as of [3H] 24.25(OH)2D3 were decreased in intestinal mucosa and bone (21.5 +/- 1.46 vs. 30.1 +/- 3.04% and 7.30 +/- 0.58 vs. 9.18 +/- 0.78% for [3H]1.25(OH)2D3 and [3H]24.25(OH)2D3 in intestinal mucosa; 6.39 +/- 06.5 vs. 11.5 +/- 1.64% and 7.78 +/- 0.71 vs. 13.9 +/- 1.28% for those in bone). The data obtained suggest a suppressed synthesis of 1.25(OH)2D3 and enhanced production of 24.25(OH)2D3 in kidney as well as a diminished binding of 24.25(OH)2D3 in intestinal mucosa and bone in hypothetic rats. Possible causes of variations in biosynthesis of vitamin D3 active metabolites, and role of these variations in the disorders of calcium metabolism and bone state during hypokinesia are discussed.     

Characterization of 25-hydroxyvitamin D binding protein from intestinal cells

We have previously purified a cytosolic vitamin D metabolite binding protein (cDBP) from rat enterocytes, which has characteristics distinct from other vitamin D binding proteins. In these studies, we demonstrate that cDBP in a semi-purified fraction from human intestinal cells (Caco-2 cells) binds 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) with at least a 1000-fold greater affinity than 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)(2)D) or 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Treatment of cells with 1,25(OH)(2)D reduced 25OHD binding to approximately one third that of the untreated cells (0.42 CPM/mg total protein vs 1.34 CPM/mg total protein, respectively). Finally, the cDBP is not immunoreactive to antibodies prepared against the C-terminus of the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR). In summary, cDBP bound 25OHD with greater affinity than either 1,25(OH)(2)D or 24,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, the cytosolic binding activity was down-regulated by 1,25(OH)(2)D and cBDP is distinct from the nuclear VDR.     

Studies on vitamin D3 metabolism. Discrete liver cytosolic binding proteins for vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3

Two separate liver cytosolic proteins have been partially purified and identified by their selectivity for binding either [1α,2α(n)-³H]vitamin D₃ or 25-hydroxy [26(27)-methyl-³H]vitamin D₃. The chromatographic properties of the two proteins were not distinguishable by ion-exchange nor were they dependent upon the vitamin D₃ nutritional status of the birds. However, in molecular exclusion chromatography, the binding proteins can be successfully resolved into two discrete entities. Their binding properties suggest that they are not identical with plasma vitamin D₃ binding protein.