Early stimulation of alkaline phosphatase activity in response to 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol

TRPV1 channels as a newly identified target for vitamin D

Vitamin D is known to elicit many biological effects in diverse tissue types and is thought to act almost exclusively upon its canonical receptor within the nucleus, leading to gene transcriptional changes and the subsequent cellular response. However, not all the observed effects of vitamin D can be attributed to this sole mechanism, and other cellular targets likely exist but remain to be identified. Our recent discovery that vitamin D is a partial agonist of the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid family 1 (TRPV1) channel may provide new insights as to how this important vitamin exerts its biological effects either independently or in addition to the nuclear vitamin D receptor. In this review, we discuss the literature surrounding this apparent discrepancy in vitamin D signaling and compare vitamin D with known TRPV1 ligands with respect to their binding to TRPV1. Furthermore, we provide evidence supporting the notion that this novel vitamin D/TRPV1 axis may explain some of the beneficial actions of this vitamin in disease states where TRPV1 expression and vitamin D deficiency are known to overlap. Finally, we discuss whether vitamin D may also act on other members of the TRP family of ion channels.

Membrane receptors for steroid hormones: a case for specific cell surface binding sites for vitamin D metabolites and estrogens

Steroid hormones, including vitamin D metabolites and estrogens, activate target cells through specific receptors that discriminate among ligands based upon recognition of distinct structural features. For both classes of ligands, cell surface and nuclear receptors co-exist in many target cells. Upon ligand binding, these receptors generate both rapid and long lasting responses. While the structure of the nuclear receptors and their function as transcriptional activators of specific target genes is generally understood, the identity of the membrane receptors remains elusive. Using pharmacological, functional and biochemical approaches, new insights are being gained into nature of the cell surface receptors for both vitamin D metabolites and estrogens.

[In vivo effects of 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on kidney alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase of hypophysectomized rats]

The effects of 24R, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (24, 25 (OH)2 D3) on alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities were investigated on renal cortex of hypophysectomized (Hx) rats. ALP activity was increased by +27, +56 and +60% as compared to controls respectively 3, 6 and 12 h after intraperitoneal administration of the secosteroid (10 pmoles/100 g body weight). Stimulations of GGT activity began only after 6 h (+30%) and 12 h (+ 46%). ACP activity was not modified. In vivo, the two enzymatic inductions in kidneys of Hx rats were higher and longer than those obtained in vitro.

Rapid actions of vitamin D compounds

The rapid actions of vitamin D compounds are surveyed in a variety of target tissues, including intestine, muscle, bone, hepatocytes, fibroblasts, HL-60 cells, kidney, mammary gland, and parathyroid. Evidence for non-nuclear receptors vs. membranophilic effects is discussed, followed by a consideration of signal transduction mechanisms including steroid hormone activated Ca2+ channels, phospholipid metabolism, protein kinases, and the role of G-proteins.

[In vitro effects of 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase in the kidney of hypophysectomized rats]

The effects of 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (24,25-(OH)2D3 on alkaline phosphatase (PAL), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and acid phosphatase (PAC) activities were investigated on renal cortex slices of hypophysectomized rats. Indeed after hypophysectomy renal 24,25-(OH)2D3 production was increased and renal PAL and GGT activities were decreased. After 5h incubation with physiological concentrations (0.1-10 nM) of 24,25-(OH)2D3 significant increases of PAL and GGT activities were produced. The maximum stimulation obtained with 1 nM was +23% for PAL and +26% for GGT as compared to controls. PAC was not modified. The time course of these effects was studied from 45 min to 8 h. In the presence of 24,25-(OH)2D3 (1 nM), delayed (3h) stimulation of PAL and GGT appeared. It reached the maximal value after 6h, +37% for PAL and +30% for GGT and persisted again at 8h. Cycloheximide added to incubation medium with steroid inhibited the stimulating effect on PAL only. Actinomycin D suppressed the induction of both enzymes, indicating that the observed actions of 24,25-(OH)2D3 depend on protein synthesis whose responsible mechanisms were different. These protein synthesis inhibitors did not modified enzymatic activities. Physiological significance of these renal effects is to be clarified.

[In vitro effects of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase activity in hypophysectomized rats]

Effects in vitro of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2D3) on alkaline phosphatase (PAL), gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT) and acid phosphatase (PAC) activities were investigated on renal cortex from hypophysectomized rats. In these animals the biosynthesis of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and the specific activities of kidney PAL and gamma-GT were decreased. The course of these effects was determined from 45 min to 8 h. In the presence of 1,25-(OH)2D3 (2 x 10(-6) M) a delayed (5h) but simultaneous stimulation of the three enzymes was observed. It reached a maximum at 6h and disappeared at 8h. The dose-response relation was studied at 6h. In the presence of 1,25-(OH)2D3 (5 x 10(-7) M), the three enzymes were activated. The effect was maximal at 10(-6) M; it was +22% for PAL, +17% and +15% respectively for gamma-GT and PAC compared with controls. Cycloheximide suppressed the induction of PAL but not of gamma-GT activity. The effects of the secosteroid on renal enzymes seems to be a pharmacological more than a physiological one.

Changes of intestinal alkaline phosphatase produced by cholecalciferol or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in vitamin D-deficient chicks

Treatment with cholecalciferol or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) increases activity and changes electrophoretic mobility of alkaline phosphatase (alkPase) from duodenal brush border of vitamin D-deprived chicks. Three of the four molecular forms of the enzyme show reduced velocity of migration 9 h after 1,25(OH)2D3 or 24 h after vitamin D3. This change is reversed about 48 h later, when mobility of those bands is higher than that of controls. Incubation of enzyme preparations with exogenous neuraminidase produces the same electrophoretic modifications observed during the early stage, indicating that they are due to desialylation. Cholecalciferol or 1,25(OH)2D3 increase sialidase activity of duodenal brush border. This increment precedes that of alkPase and could account for the initial desialylation and moderate rise of alkPase. Cycloheximide markedly reduces alkPase in rachitic chicks and blocks the increase of the enzyme activity produced by vitamin D3, but does not modify the rise of sialidase or the reduction of alkPase electrophoretic mobility. The bimodal response of alkPase to 1,25(OH)2D3 or cholecalciferol comprises two different mechanisms: during a first stage, epigenetic modifications of preexisting enzyme can be triggered by the increased Ca2+ levels; in a second phase, there is activation of enzyme synthesis.

Biosynthesis and compartmentalization of rat-intestinal vitamin-D-dependent calcium-binding protein

We have purified the primary translation product of rat intestinal vitamin-D-dependent calcium-binding protein mRNA from wheat germ and ascites cell-free systems. We show that calcium-binding protein is neither synthesized as a larger percursor nor likely to be exported from the intestinal epithelium. Our conclusions are based on the following observations. (1) The primary translation product, NH2-terminally labeled with formyl[35S]methionine, comigrates with the mature cytoplasmic protein during electrophoresis through denaturing gels. (2) It does not possess a cleavable signal peptide sequence or internal signal equivalent as judged by co- and post-translational cleavage assays in vitro. (3) The NH2 terminus of the cell-free product is acetylated. (4) Comparison of the NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of the primary translation product and cyanogen bromide peptides obtained from the blocked, purified cytoplasmic protein. The kinetics of calcium-binding protein mRNA accumulation and decay in rachitic intestinal epithelium after primary and secondary stimulation with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) were studied using the cell-free translation system. The results are reminiscent of other steroid-hormone-inducible systems. Both the rate of mRNA accumulation and the peak response were greater after secondary stimulation.

Vitamin D-mediated alterations in the topography of intestinal brush border proteins: effect of papain on hydrolase release and calcium uptake

The effect of vitamin D status on the topography of intestinal cell membranes was studied in isolated brush borders, as well as their purified membranes, by limited proteolysis. Addition of papain to brush borders isolated from vitamin D3-treated and deficient chicks resulted in a differential solubilization of leucine aminopeptidase, maltase, and sucrase activities (114, 195, and 79%, respectively, of appropriate control levels) but not alkaline phosphatase activity. In comparison, proteolysis of purified membranes exhibited vitamin D3- and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25(OH)2D3]-dependent differences in release of all four marker hydrolases monitored. Calcium uptake studies revealed that preincubation with papain yielded vesicles with a calcium content that was 125% of corresponding native vesicles, in preparations from vitamin D3-treated, as well as deficient birds. Membrane vesicles prepared from 1,25(OH)2D3-treated chicks initially accumulated calcium to a greater extent than those from rachitic birds, but thereafter exhibited a decline in calcium content to basal levels. Preincubation with papain, however, abolished this loss of calcium. The combined results indicate that vitamin D mediates alterations in brush border protein topography and raise the possibility that this action of the seco-steroid might be involved in calcium absorption. However, if vitamin D-stimulated calcium transport across the brush border is dependent on a protein carrier, the molecular entity is not sensitive to inactivation by papain.

Intestinal brush border hydrolase topography. Effects of vitamin D-3 and filipin

Intestinal brush borders were isolated from vitamin D-3-treated and vitamin D-deficient chicks, and protein topography in the paired preparations assessed by the enzymatic release of four marker hydrolases. Exposure of the brush borders to the protease bromelain resulted in soluble levels of alkaline phosphatase, leucine aminopeptidase, maltase, and sucrase activities from preparations of vitamin D-3-treated birds that were 42%, 75%, 64%, and 56%, respectively, of corresponding activities released in preparations from rachitic chicks. Analyses for recovery of enzyme activity revealed that bromelain treatment selectively inactivated 43% of the alkaline phosphatase activity of brush borders obtained from vitamin D-3-replete birds, and preferentially diminished recovered sucrase activity in preparations from vitamin D-deficient chicks. In additional experiments, brush borders isolated from rachitic birds were treated in vitro with the polyene antibiotic filipin or an equivalent volume of vehicle. Subsequent exposure of such preparations to bromelain resulted in little or no differences in levels of marker hydrolase specific activities released from filipin- or vehicle-treated brush borders. However, analyses of membrane-bound specific activities after treatment of brush border preparations with a range of filipin concentrations, revealed a biphasic inhibition of approx. 30% for both maltase and sucrase, relative to vehicle controls, and a smaller effect on alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase.

Biochemistry of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes

The review discusses the similarities and differences between the common isoenzymatic forms of ALP. Methods for separating, measuring, and purifying the isoenzymes on the basis of these differing properties are described. The evidence is reviewed for the existence of different genes coding for different isoenzymes, and the current state of knowledge is surveyed concerning the location, development, function, and regulation of the isoenzymes. Finally, some unusual forms of ALP which may appear in the circulation are described.

Intestinal phosphate transport and alkaline phosphatase activity in the chick

The initial rates of phosphate accumulation by isolated chick intestinal epithelial cells have been examined. At high concentrations of phosphate (1.5 mM), phosphate uptake is relatively independent of sodium and demonstrates a pH optimum of 8.0. At pH 8.0, 56% of the uptake is dependent on the presence of Ca in the uptake medium compared to 28% at pH 6.8. Membranes prepared from these same intestinal epithelial cells contain a Ca-dependent phosphatase that can be distinguished from the more abundant Mg-dependent alkaline phosphatase. The Ca-dependent phosphatase has a pH optimum between 8.5 and 9.0 and, compared to the Mg-dependent activity, is more readily inactivated at 58 degrees C and is relatively resistant to L-phenylalanine inhibition but more sensitive to ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate (EHDP). Both activities are distributed in a constant proportion between the brush border and basal lateral membranes and at various segments along the intestine. Vitamin D in vivo and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in vitro stimulated both activities. In vitro, utilizing the isolated intestinal cells, the stimulation of phosphate uptake paralleled the increase in Ca-dependent alkaline phosphatase activity. The role of alkaline phosphatase in intestinal phosphate transport is discussed.