Biochemical characterization and purification of a binding protein for 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 from chick intestine

An earlier study revealed that 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (24R,25(OH)(2)D(3)) inhibits the rapid actions of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) on stimulation of calcium transport in perfused duodena, as well as activation of protein kinases C and A. In the present work, a specific binding protein (24,25-BP) has been identified and partially characterized. Percoll-gradient resolution of differential centrifugation fractions from mucosal homogenates revealed the highest levels of specific [(3)H]24R,25(OH)(2)D(3) binding to be in lysosomes (approximately eight to tenfold greater than in basal lateral membrane fractions). Incubation of isolated enterocytes with 6.5 nM [(3)H]24R,25(OH)(2)D(3) for 10 s also demonstrated targeting of the steroid to lysosomal fractions. Using freshly isolated lysosomal fractions, time course studies indicated maximal specific binding after a 2-h incubation on ice. Western analyses revealed that the serum transport protein, DBP (vitamin D binding protein), was absent from both lysosomal and basal lateral membrane fractions. Protein dependence studies demonstrated linear binding between 0.05 and 0.155 mg of lysosomal protein. Saturation analyses yielded K(d)=7.4+/- 1.8 nM, B(max)=142+/-16 fmol/mg protein for lysosomes, and K(d)=8.5 nM, B(max)=149+/-25 fmol/mg protein for basal lateral membranes. Hill analyses of lysosomal binding yielded a Hill coefficient of 0.57+/-0.11, indicative of negative cooperativity. Studies with lysosomal proteins revealed a 81%+/-7% competition of 24S,25(OH)(2)D(3) with [(3)H]24R,25(OH)(2)D(3) for binding (P>0.05, relative to competition with 24R,25(OH)(2)D(3)), while 25(OH)D(3) and 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) yielded 53%+/-13% and 39%+/-11% competition respectively (each, P<0.05, relative to competition with 24R,25(OH)(2)D(3)). The apparent affinity of 24S,25(OH)(2)D(3) for 24,25-BP led to testing of the metabolites effectiveness in the perfused duodenal loop system. Vascular perfusion with 130 pM 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) stimulated (45)Ca transport to 2.5-fold above control levels after 40 min, while simultaneous perfusion with 6.5 nM 24S,25(OH)(2)D(3) and 130 pM 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) abolished the stimulatory activity completely. Purification of the 24,25-BP by chromatography revealed a single protein band upon SDS-PAGE and silver staining of 66 kDa. The combined results suggest that 24R,25(OH)(2)D(3) may mediate its hormonal activities through a specific binding protein.