Identification of a vitamin D-responsive protein on the surface of human osteosarcoma cells

Monoclonal antibodies were elicited to membrane constituents of the osteoblastic human osteosarcoma cell line Saos-2. Two types of antibody reactivities were characterized: one group of antibodies identified fibroblastic and osteoblastic cultured cells, whereas the other group was specific for the parent cell line, Saos-2. Primary endothelial cells and hepatoma cells were not recognized by either group of antibodies. Through indirect immunofluorescent microscopy, the Saos-2-specific antigen was demonstrated to reside on the surface of these osteosarcoma cells. Metabolic radiolabeling of cultured Saos-2 cells and subsequent immunoprecipitation, electrophoretic separation, and autoradiography revealed this protein to have a Mr of 80,000. Similar experiments in the presence of hormones showed that the expression of this cell surface protein was influenced in an opposing fashion by the bone-regulating hormones parathyroid hormone and vitamin D. Vitamin D stimulated expression by 300%, whereas parathyroid hormone depressed expression by 50%. Thus, Saos-2 human osteoblastic cells demonstrate hormonal regulation through an apparently specific membrane protein.