A 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor-like protein in mammalian and avian liver nuclei

The actions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] are thought to be mediated through receptor proteins which have been described in a variety of avian and mammalian tissues, but not in the liver. To determine if a binding protein for 1,25-(OH)2D3 is present in this tissue, rat liver was homogenized in a low ionic strength buffer containing 10 mM Tris (pH 7.4), 2.2 m sucrose, 3 mM calcium chloride, 0.2% Triton X-100, and 0.04% Trasylol (sucrose buffer) and centrifuged over a 10-ml cushion of sucrose buffer at 61,000 x g for 80 min at 4 C. The resultant nuclear pellet was extracted in a 26 mM Tris (pH 7.4) buffer containing 0.3 M potassium chloride, 5 mM dithiothreitol, 1 mM EDTA, and 10 mM sodium molybdate. Saturable 1,25-(OH)2D3 binding was identified in high salt extracts of rat liver nuclei and was eliminated by treatment with trypsin. This liver binding protein cosediments on high salt 5-20% sucrose density gradients with the 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor protein from intestine and is distinct from the 6.OS tissue binding protein for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Perfusion of rat liver with PBS to remove receptor-positive blood cells before isolation of the nuclei did not change 1,25-(OH)2D3 binding. The nuclear protein bound 1,25-(OH)2D3 more avidly than either 24,25-(OH)2 D3 or 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Saturation analysis of 1,25-(OH)2D3 binding revealed an apparent equilibrium dissociation constant of 20.6 +/- 2.2 pM (mean +/- SEM) at 4 C and a maximum binding capacity of 49.0 +/- 14.6 fmol/extract from 1.0 mg DNA. The 1,25-(OH)2D3-binding binding protein was present in liver nuclei isolated from mice, rabbits, and chicks and in nuclei isolated from cultured rat hepatocytes. The ligand specificity, sedimentation coefficient, limited binding capacity, trypsin sensitivity, and nuclear location of the hepatic 1,25-(OH)2D3-binding protein are similar to those of 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors described in other tissues and suggest that the liver may be a target organ for [1,25-(OH)2D3] action.