Alterations of the gamma-carboxyglutamic acid and osteocalcin concentrations in vitamin D-deficient chick bone

The content of osteocalcin and protein bound gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) was studied as a function of bone maturation and mineralization in normal and vitamin D-deficient, rachitic chickens. The Gla/Ca2+ ratio was elevated in rachitic bone, particularly in the most undermineralized regions. For example, there is a 10- to 20-fold elevation in Gla/Ca2+ in the newly synthesized, least mineralized rachitic bone fraction, which progressively decreases to a 1.5-fold elevation in the most highly mineralized areas of rachitic tissue. Osteocalcin, which is the principal Gla-containing protein of mature bone, was quantitated by radioimmunoassay using specific antiserum to the 5670-dalton chicken protein. Surprisingly, the osteocalcin concentration is decreased 50% in vitamin D-deficient bone. From this we infer that accumulated Gla-containing protein in vitamin D-deficient and poorly mineralized bone may possibly represent a precursor of osteocalcin.