Vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein of mouse yolk sac. Biochemical and immunochemical properties and responses to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol

The present studies were performed to further characterize a mouse yolk sac protein which is similar or identical to the vitamin D-dependent intestinal calcium-binding protein (CaBP). Yolk sac protein and purified rat intestinal CaBP displayed full identity upon immunodiffusion (Ouchterlony) using antiserum to the rat intestinal CaBP. Immunoreactive CaBP in yolk sac homogenates eluted from gel permeation columns with the low molecular weight peak of 45Ca2+ binding (Chelex assay), and the electrophoretic mobility of the protein was markedly increased by EDTA. On days 11-13 of gestation, the concentrations of immunoreactive CaBP in yolk sac were 4-5-fold higher than in placenta; by days 16-17, the concentrations in yolk sac and placenta were similar. Incubation of yolk sac with [3H]leucine demonstrated synthesis of immunoprecipitable [3H]CaBP. A single band of 3H-labeled protein was seen on sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of the immunoprecipitate. This protein co-migrated with radioactive placental CaBP with an apparent Mr of 10,050. Addition of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) to organ culture media with or without serum increased the amount and concentration of CaBP in yolk sac (p less than 0.001) at 48 h. CaBP synthesis in yolk sac appeared to be independent of calcitriol concentrations in the maternal circulation since injection of the hormone into the maternal compartment produced no change in yolk sac CaBP despite increases of maternal intestinal and renal CaBP. These studies demonstrate that yolk sac immunoreactive CaBP is synthesized in yolk sac and has an apparent molecular size and calcium-binding properties characteristic of mammalian vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding proteins. The in vitro response of yolk sac CaBP to calcitriol is the first evidence of a vitamin D effect on the fetal membranes and suggests one function for calcitriol receptors in these tissues.