Mixed-function oxidases of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in isolated chick kidney glomeruli: evidence for nuclear localization

The Avian Eggshell as a Model of Biomineralization

The avian eggshell is one of the most rapidly mineralizing biological systems known. By understandi'ng the key components and steps in this process, we hope to provide relevant information for fabrication of ceramic composites. The calcification of the eggshell occurs in three main steps: 1) fabrication of an organic matrix, 2) nucleation of an inorganic phase on the organic matrix, and 3) space-filling growth of the calcite phase. The different layers of an eggshell can be separately isolated and studied. Three approaches have been used in our study of the eggshell: 1) characterization of the organization and chemical composition of the shell, 2) selective removal or blocking of particular components to improve the remineralization of demineralized shells, and 3) addition of new components to produce composite ceramics of different kinds. In this preliminary communication, the organization of the shell matrix and membranes and their association with the crystal phase, the immunohistochemical occurrence and distribution of types I and X collagen, and of different proteoglycans are reviewed. Also the preliminary findings of the remineralization of the intact or modified eggshell are presented. These experiments allow us to identify the essential steps in forming a natural composite ceramic.

Comparisons of avian renal responses to bovine parathyroid extract, synthetic bovine (1-34) parathyroid hormone, and synthetic human (1-34) parathyroid hormone

The structure of avian parathyroid hormone (PTH) is only partially known, therefore studies of the avian renal responses to PTH have been conducted using bovine parathyroid extract (bPTE), synthetic human PTH (h(1-34)PTH), and synthetic bovine PTH (b(1-34)PTH). In vitro studies indicate that these peptides may have quite different chick kidney receptor binding affinities and adenylate cyclase activation potencies. In the present study, the in vivo renal responses to bPTE, b(1-34)PTH, and h(1-34)PTH have been compared in immature domestic fowl. The following parameters were evaluated: glomerular filtration rates; renal plasma flow rates; urine pH; and fractional excretion of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and inorganic phosphate. Overall, the different hormonal peptides elicited qualitatively similar responses: they all were phosphaturic, natriuretic, diuretic, hypomagnesiuric, hypocalciuric, and kaliuretic. This is the first study to show an effect of PTH on renal magnesium transport in avian species. Quantitative comparisons make it clear that bPTE is more natriuretic and diuretic, but less phosphaturic than either b(1-34)PTH or h(1-34)PTH. A temporal dissociation of the phosphaturic response from the other mineral and electrolyte responses suggests that the phosphaturic response is mediated by a separate mechanism.

Nuclear uptake of 1,25-dihydroxy[3H]cholecalciferol in dispersed fibroblasts cultured from normal human skin

Because of the relative inaccessibility of known calciferol target tissues (i.e., intestine and bone), we examined fibroblasts derived from normal human skin and grown in tissue culture as a means of evaluating the interaction of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25(OH)2D3] and its effector system. When dispersed, intact cells were used, nuclear uptake of 1,25-dihydroxy[23,24(n)3-H]cholecalciferol [1,25(OH)2[3H]D3) was temperature-dependent, optimal at 45 min at 37 degrees C, and saturable. In competition experiments with other calciferols, the 1,25(OH)2[3H]D3 uptake showed specificity indistinguishable from that reported for 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors from calciferol target tissues. Analysis of 1,25(OH)2[3H]D3 nuclear uptake in fibroblast strains from six normal adults (four male, two female) yielded an average binding capacity (R0) of 10,600 +/- 2,000 (SEM) nuclear sites per cell and an apparent dissociation contant (Kd) of 0.50 +/- 0.07 (SEM) x 10(-9) M. Donor sex, donor age, or anatomic site of origin of the cell line did not affect the characteristics of uptake. Similar nuclear uptake was demonstrable with cultured MCF-7 cells (derived from human breast cancer) when assayed in the same fashion. When hypertonic extracts of nuclei obtained from skin fibroblasts incubated with 1,25(OH)2[3H]D3 were subjected to centrifugation on sucrose gradients, a single peak of radioactivity sedimented at approximately 3 S; when excess 1,25(OH)2D3 was coincubated during the cellular uptake phase, this 3S peak was not observed. Molybdate was an essential buffer component for receptor stabilization during cell fractionation and sedimentation analysis. In summary, by using fibroblasts cultured from normal human skin, we have identified a process of nuclear uptake of 1,25(OH)2[3H]D3 with the affinity, saturability, and specificity characteristics of a steroid hormone--receptor interaction. This method should be useful in studying 1,25(OH)2D3 recept physiology in cells from normal persons as well as in cells from patients who have disorders in the responsiveness of calciferol target tissues.