Isolation of a 110 000 molecular weight protein in the purification of the nuclear chick intestinal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 receptor.

A single protein band of molecular weight 110 000 has been obtained after sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of purified 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 (1,25-(OH)2D-3) receptor from crude nuclear extracts of chick intestinal mucosa, prepared in the presence of the protease inhibitors phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and epsilon-aminocaproic acid. The nuclear extract was subjected to a six-step purification scheme, involving polymin P and ammonium sulfate fractionation, DNA-cellulose affinity chromatography, Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration, blue dextran-Sepharose and a final DNA-cellulose chromatographic step. The receptor was obtained in about 1% yield and was purified approx. 3700-fold from the nuclear extract, as assessed by specific activity. Single peaks were observed with 3H-1,25-(OH)2D-3-labeled crude nuclear extracts on Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration (Stokes' radius = 35.5 A) and sucrose density gradient centrifugation (3.5 S). Although the identity of the Mr 110 000 protein will remain inconclusive until methods for further characterization are available, it may represent evidence for a higher molecular weight form of the 1,25-(OH)2D-3 receptor than that observed previously.

Evidence for extrarenal production of 1 alpha ,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in man.

Recent studies provide evidence for extrarenal production of 1 alpha ,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1 alpha ,25(OH)2D]. To investigate this possibility, serum vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25(OH)2D], and 1 alpha ,25(OH)2D were measured in eight adult anephric subjects. All were undergoing hemodialysis and three of them were receiving vitamin D, 50,000 or 100,000 U/d. Serum vitamin D was elevated in two of the patients given vitamin D and was abnormally low in the others. Mean serum 25-OHD was increased in patients given vitamin D (94.0 +/- 7.6 ng/ml) and was normal in the others (16.4 +/- 0.9 ng/ml, P less than 0.001). Mean serum 24,25(OH)2D was normal in patients given vitamin D (1.38 +/- 0.27 ng/ml) and was low in the others (0.25 +/- 0.08 ng/ml, P less than 0.001). Serum 24,25(OH)2D correlated significantly with serum 25-OHD (r = 0.848, P less than 0.01). Mean serum 1 alpha ,25(OH)2D determined by receptor assay was 5.8 +/- 1.9 pg/ml in patients who were not given vitamin D and was 14.1 +/- 0.6 in those who were given vitamin D (P less than 0.001). Serum 1 alpha ,25(OH)2D correlated significantly with serum 25-OHD (r = 0.911, P less than 0.01). Mean serum 1 alpha ,25(OH)2D, measured by bioassay, was 8.3 +/- 1.9 pg/ml in patients who were given vitamin D and was 15.9 +/- 2.4 pg/ml in those who were given vitamin D (P less than 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the values for serum 1 alpha ,25(OH)2D obtained with the two methods (r = 0.728, P less than 0.01). The results (a) provide evidence in man for extrarenal production of both 24,25(OH)2D and, by two independent assays, of 1 alpha , 25(OH)2D, and (b) indicate that serum values of the two dihydroxy metabolites of vitamin D in anephric subjects vary with the serum concentration of the precursor 25-OHD.

Urinary and plasma vitamin D3 metabolites in the nephrotic syndrome.

Using newly developed and established extraction, Lipidex-5000 chromatography, normal phase gradient HPLC, and ligand binding assay techniques we have directly measured plasma and urine levels of vitamin D3 and its metabolites in seven normal subjects and seven patients with nephrotic syndrome and normal renal function. Significant reductions in the plasma levels of vitamin D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, 25,26(OH)2D3, and 1,25(OH)2D3 were noted in all nephrotic patients. In conjunction with the plasma metabolite abnormalities, direct quantitative analysis of the urine in these patients revealed significant increases in nonconjugated 250HD3, 24,25(OH)2D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3. Significant correlations were noted between the plasma and/or urine metabolites and other mineral homeostatic parameters. The results indicate that the primary basis for the reductions in plasma vitamin D3 and its metabolites in the nephrotic syndrome is enhanced urinary excretion. The findings of normal serum ionized Ca and i-PTH levels in the patients with nephrosis suggest that reductions in bound and not free forms of vitamin D3 metabolites in plasma may occur in the initial stages of the nephrotic syndrome.

Concurrent measurement of plasma levels of vitamin D3 and five of its metabolites in normal humans, chronic renal failure patients, and anephric subjects.

Here we report the use of newly developed and established techniques for the determination of plasma levels of a broad spectrum of vitamin D3 metabolites, including vitamin D3 and 25OHD3-lactone, in normal humans, chronic renal failure patients, and anephric subjects. The methodology described consisted of methanol-methylene chloride extraction, Lipidex-5000 chromatography with stepwise gradient elution, normal-phase HPLC with concave gradient elution, and sensitive ligand-binding assays. The results of the study strongly suggest an extrarenal source(s) for 24,25(OH)2D3 and 25,26(OH)2D3 and indicate that both 25OHD3-lactone and 1,25(OH)2D3 may be produced solely in the kidney of the human. Significant reductions or nondetectable plasma levels of vitamin D3 in the renal disease patients may reflect abnormalities in the hepatobiliary-intestinal and/or cutaneous metabolism of vitamin D.