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Biomedical subjects

R H Wasserman

Publications and source records attributed to R H Wasserman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Dietary restriction of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D elicits differential regulation of the mRNAs for avian intestinal calbindin-D28k and the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor.

We investigated the regulation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3]-induced calbindin-D28k (CaBP) and of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) by evaluating CaBP protein, CaBP mRNA, and VDR mRNA under conditions of altered intake of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphorus. Chickens were maintained for 10 days on one of four diets: vitamin D-deficient, normal (1.0% Ca and 1.1% P), low calcium (0.1% Ca and 1.2% P), and low phosphorus (1.1% Ca and 0.3% P). CaBP was undetectable in D-deficient duodena and was elevated above normal values by low-calcium (3.1-fold) and low-phosphorus (2.3-fold) intake. Contradictory to published data, we observed a correlation between CaBP protein and mRNA levels in that the CaBP mRNA was absent in D-deficient intestine and augmented threefold and twofold in low-calcium and low-phosphate duodena, respectively. In contrast, VDR mRNA concentrations were identical in vitamin D-deficient and normal duodena, implying that intestinal VDR is not dependent upon 1,25-(OH)2D3 for basal expression. Chickens fed a low-phosphorus diet displayed a twofold increase in VDR mRNA, but those fed a low-calcium diet exhibited a dramatic decrease in VDR mRNA. These data show that CaBP mRNA and protein levels are modulated in a tightly coupled fashion, and they are consistent with previous conclusions that augmented circulating 1,25-(OH)2D3 stimulates CaBP expression when dietary calcium or phosphorus is limiting. However, a more complex regulation of VDR expression occurs in that low-phosphorus restriction enhances VDR mRNA levels, possibly via increased circulating 1,25-(OH)2D3. Conversely, reduced dietary calcium diminishes VDR mRNA despite increased circulating 1,25-(OH)2D3, indicating that another factor, such as parathyroid hormone, is a predominant downregulator of VDR.

Animals

Vitamin D and mineral deficiencies increase the plasma membrane calcium pump of chicken intestine.

The basolateral membrane of the enterocyte was previously shown to contain an adenosine triphosphate-dependent calcium pump. Using immunological procedures, the localization of the Ca2+ pump in chick intestine, and the effect of dietary variables on the concentration of the pump, were studied. A monoclonal antibody produced against the human erythrocyte calcium pump was shown to cross-react with a chick intestinal Ca2+ pump epitope. The most intense staining of intestinal tissue, as determined immunohistochemically, occurred at the basolateral membrane of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon, with minor staining elsewhere. By the Western blotting procedure, vitamin D repletion of vitamin D-deficient chicks was shown to significantly increase the concentration of the Ca2+ pump epitope of duodenal, jejunal, and ileal mucosa by a factor of 2-3. Chicks were also fed diets deficient in calcium or phosphorus, a situation known to result in the stimulation of the synthesis of calbindin-D28k and an enhancement of the efficiency of Ca2+ absorption. Adaptation of the chicks to these deficient diets was verified by an increase in intestinal levels of calbindin-D28k, and is now shown to increase the Ca2+ pump epitope. From these immunological studies, it seems apparent that dietary variables that enhance intestinal Ca2+ absorption also increase the amount of the intestinal basolateral Ca2+ pump.

Animals

Intestinal calcium transport and calcium extrusion processes at the basolateral membrane.

The intestinal absorption of calcium has been proposed to occur by the transcellular transfer of Ca2+ through the enterocyte proper and between the cells of the intestinal epithelium, i.e., the paracellular path. Attention in this report is given to the transcellular models of Ca2+ absorption and, more specifically, the Ca2+ extrusion events occurring at the basolateral membrane. These extrusion processes include the operation of an ATP-dependent Ca2+ pump and a Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, as well as exocytosis as the terminal event in a proposed vesicular transport mechanism. Evidence for the presence of an ATP-dependent Ca2+ pump at the basolateral membrane is documented and illustrated with biochemical and immunological data from studies on the avian intestinal basolateral membrane. As shown immunohistochemically, the Ca2+ pump was primarily localized on the enterocyte basolateral membrane. The ATP-dependency and vitamin D enhancement of Ca2+ uptake by isolated basolateral membrane vesicles are shown. Western blot analysis of intestinal mucosa, by using a monoclonal antibody produced against the erythrocyte Ca2+ pump, indicated that the number of pump units is increased by 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. The possible involvement of calbindin-D28K as a direct stimulator of the Ca2+ pump is discussed, and the quantitative relationship between Ca2+ transport rates and Ca2+ pumping activity has been estimated. Information related to the basolateral membrane Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and the vesicular transport model of Ca2+ absorption is also briefly reviewed.

Animals

Role of facilitated diffusion of calcium by calbindin in intestinal calcium absorption.

Computer simulations of transcellular Ca2+ transport in enterocytes were carried out using the simulation program SPICE. The program incorporated a negative-feedback entry of Ca2+ at the brush-border membrane that was characterized by an inhibitor constant of 0.5 microM cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]). The basolateral Ca(2+)-ATPase was simulated by a four-step mechanism that resulted in Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a Michaelis constant of 0.24 microM [Ca2+]. The cytosolic diffusion of Ca2+ was simulated by dividing the cytosol into 10 slabs of equal width. Ca2+ binding to calbindin-D9K was simulated in each slab, and diffusion of free Ca2+, free calbindin, and Ca(2+)-laden calbindin was simulated between each slab. The cytosolic [Ca2+] of the simulated cells was regulated within the physiological range. Calbindin-D9K reduced the cytosolic [Ca2+] gradient, increased Ca2+ entry into the cell by removing the negative-feedback inhibition of Ca2+ entry, increased cytosolic Ca2+ flow, and increased the efflux of Ca2+ across the basolateral membrane by increasing the free [Ca2+] immediately adjacent to the pump. The enhancement of transcellular Ca2+ transport was nearly linearly dependent on calbindin-D9K concentration. The values of the dissociation constant (Kd) for calbindin-D9K were previously obtained experimentally in the presence and absence of KCl. Calbindin with the Kd obtained in the presence of KCl enhanced the simulated Ca2+ transport more than with the Kd obtained in the absence of KCl. This result suggests that the physiological Kd of calbindin is optimal for the enhancement of transcellular Ca2+ transport. The simulated Ca2+ flow was less than that predicted from the "near-equilibrium" analytic solution of the reaction-diffusion problem.

Absorption

Hormonal effects on the sulfhydryl groups associated with intestinal brush border membrane proteins.

Previous studies demonstrated that the administration of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3) to cholecalciferol-deficient chicks rapidly increases the reactivity and amount of the sulfhydryl (HS-) groups in intestinal brush border membranes (BBM). In the present study, the tissue and hormonal specificity of this effect was investigated. The HS- groups of intestinal and renal BBM were enhanced by vitamin D-3 and/or 1,25(OH)2D3, but no change was noted in isolated intestinal mitochondria and purified intestinal basolateral membranes, cardiac sarcolemma and erythrocyte membranes. Other steroid hormones including estradiol, testosterone, aldosterone, cortisol, dexamethasone and progesterone, yielded a response similar to 1,25(OH)2D3 on BBM HS- groups. Triiodothyronine and retinoic acid also resulted in an increase in intestinal BBM HS- groups. In a kinetic approach, using a specific sulfhydryl fluorescent probe (N-7-dimethylamino-4-coumarin-3-yl-maleimide, DACM), the reactivity of the BBM HS- groups was increased by estrogen and testosterone, as was previously shown for 1,25(OH)2D3. Intestinal BBM proteins, labeled with DACM, were separated by gel electrophoresis. Fluorescence scans of the gel showed two heavily labeled bands, one of 110 kDa, putatively brush border myosin I, and one of 43 kDa, putatively actin. Labeling of the 110 kDa protein was increased by 1,25(OH)2D3 and estradiol. Further studies are required to elucidate the physiological meaning of these hormone-mediated increases in reactivity and amount of the BBM sulfhydryl groups, as well as the nature of the intermediate biochemical reactions involved in this response.

Animals

Immunohistochemical localization of a calcium pump and calbindin-D28k in the oviduct of the laying hen.

The localization of a plasma membrane calcium pump in the oviduct of the laying hen was investigated by immunohistochemical techniques, utilizing a monoclonal antibody (5F10) produced against the human erythrocyte calcium pump. This antibody was shown to react with an epitope of the pump in oviductal tissue, and prominent staining was observed on the microvilli of the tubular gland cells of the hen shell gland (uterus) and the isthmus. The Ca2+ pump was not detectable in the infundibulum or the magnum. Calbindin-D28k, also localized by immunohistochemical means, was observed to be present in the tubular gland cells of the shell gland and the distal isthmus (adjacent to shell gland) but not in either the proximal isthmus (adjacent to the magnum), the magnum or the infundibulum. The localization of the Ca2+ pump in the oviduct corresponds to known sites of mineral deposition during egg shell formation. The distribution of calbindin-D28k differed, co-localizing with the Ca2+ pump in the shell gland and distal isthmus but not in the proximal isthmus. This might reflect a greater rate of active Ca2+ secretion in the distal isthmus and shell gland as compared to the proximal isthmus.

Animals

Analytical peptide mapping by high performance liquid chromatography. Application to intestinal calcium-binding proteins.

Peptide mapping of underivatized tryptic digests of bovine and chick intestinal calcium-binding proteins has been accomplished by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). High precision analysis of nanomolar quantities of peptides were achieved in less than 1 h (recycle time). Peak resolution and definition are superior compared to conventional techniques and recoveries of both small (4-residue) hydrophilic and large (30-residue) hydrophobic peptides are excellent. The total amino acid composition of the bovine intestinal calcium-binding protein has been accounted for on the basis of two tryptic maps of 20 microgram of protein each.

Amino Acids

Studies on the subcellular localization of the membrane-bound fraction of intestinal calcium-binding protein.

Sorbitol density gradient centrifugation applied to intestinal mucosa homogenates resulted in a complete separation of soluble calcium-binding protein from the bound fraction of calcium-binding protein, providing further documentation of the bound pool of calcium-binding protein. The peak of the bound calcium-binding protein was not associated with the major peaks of any of the markers used, but was associated with minor peaks of alkaline phosphatase, RNA, and glucose-6-phosphatase. Lack of association of bound calcium-binding protein with (Na+ + K+)-ATPase indicated that the bound calcium-binding protein is not on the basolateral membrane. Differential centrifugation fractionation indicated that the bound calcium-binding protein is not associated with nuclei or mitochondria. The bound calcium-binding protein also could not be detected in partially purified brush borders. Exclusion of the brush border and basolateral membranes as the location of the bound calcium-binding protein suggests an intracellular locale.

Alkaline Phosphatase

Calcium absorption and intestinal calcium-binding protein: quantitative relationship.

The concentration of the vitamin D-induced calcium-binding protein (CaBP) and calcium absorption from the duodenum were investigated in chicks with an in vivo ligated-loop technique. The relation between CaBP and calcium absorption was dependent on a) source of vitamin D activity (either vitamin D3 or 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol); b) dosage of vitamin D3; c) time after administration of vitamin D3 to rachitic animals. To aid in the interpretation of these results, a phenomenological model was developed in which CaBP was viewed as being linearly related to a portion of calcium absorption. The model, when applied to the data, suggests that there is a "nonfunctional" pool of CaBP the size of which is determined by the vitamin D status of the animal. After correction for this nonfunctional pool, the proportionality between CaBP and calcium absorption is independent of the vitamin D status of the animal.

Animals

Intestinal calcium-binding protein and calcium absorption in cortisol-treated chicks: effects of vitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Vitamin D3 in rachitic chicks stimulates calcium absorption and induces the synthesis of two pools of intestinal calcium-binding protein (CaBP), one soluble and the other membrane bound. Cortisol acetate caused a decrease in calcium absorption which was accompanied by a decrease in soluble CaBP. Cortisol was similarly effective in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-dosed chicks, suggesting that the glucocorticoid effect was not entirely due to the defective synthesis of this metabolite. Ca absorption was directly correlated with soluble CaBP and alkaline phosphatase and inversely related to the ratio of bound to soluble CaBP. It was further observed that the slope of the Ca absorption vs. soluble CaBP regression line was greater in chicks given 1,25-dihyroxyvitamin D3 compared to those given vitamin D3, and this is interpreted to mean that another factor or condition, in addition to assayed concentrations of soluble CaBP, determines the degree of calcium absorption.

Alkaline Phosphatase

Intestinal calcium absorption and bone morphology in magnesium deficient chicks.

Calcium absorption was measured by 47Ca disappearance from ligated duodenal loops and 47Ca uptake by tibiae in chicks fed diets containing one of four levels of Mg for two weeks. The diets, otherwise identical, contained 88 (group 1), 150 (group 2), 200 (group 3) and 1000 (group 4) ppm Mg. There were no statistically significant differences in 47Ca absorption. Mucosal CaBP and intestinal alkaline phosphatase were slightly, but not significantly, elevated in the Mg depleted chicks in groups 1 and 2 compared to groups 3 and 4. Microscopic examination of the tibiae showed marked alterations in morphology in chicks fed the 88 ppm Mg diet. The thickness of the epiphyseal plate was reduced, and the morphologic signs of osteolysis and chondrolysis, normally observed in the metaphysis, appeared to be absent. The mid-diaphysis was thickened and showed marked reduction in both osteoblast and osteocytie activity. Blood calcium levels were significantly reduced in the Mg deficient chicks. It was concluded that Mg depletion in chicks altered Ca homeostasis primarily by changing bone structure and function.

Alkaline Phosphatase

Evidence for a membrane-bound fraction of chick intestinal calcium-binding protein.

After homogenization of intestinal mucosa from vitamin D-replete chicks and high speed centrifugation, the major proportion of the vitamin D-induced calcium-binding protein is present in the supernatant fraction. However, the centrifugate, after repeated washing, contains significant amounts of bound calcium-binding protein that can be solubilized by Triton X-100. The bound calcium-binding protein is identical to soluble calcium-binding protein by the criteria of immunological identity, electrophoretic mobility, and molecular size, as determined by gel filtration chromatography. The bound calcium-binding protein is only partially released by sonication, osmotic shock or by ribonuclease treatment. Bound and soluble calcium-binding protein are not present in rachitic chick intestine. The addition of calcium-binding protein to rachitic mucosa prior to homogenization does not yield a Triton X-100 solubilizable form, indicating that bound calcium-binding protein in vitamin D-replete intestine is not due to adsorption or vesicular entrapment of soluble calcium-binding protein. The overall evidence suggests that part of the intestinal calcium-binding protein is membrane-bound.

Animals

Stimulatory effect of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol-like substances from Solanum malacoxylon and Cestrum diurnum on phosphate transport in chick jejunum.

Extracts of the calcinogenic plants Solanum malocoxylon and Cestrum diurnum stimulate phosphate absorption by the jejunum of vitamin D-deficient chicks, as determined by everted gut sac technique. Their action on cellular pathways of transepithelial phosphate transport is indistinguishable thereby from that of cholecalciferol. Increased net absorption from the lumen was due to enhanced uptake of phosphate from the luminal side, while leakage of tissue phosphate in the opposite direction was apparently unaffected. Steep serosa/mucosa concentration gradients were observed as consequence of enhanced levels of transepithelial phosphate flux in the mucosa-to-serosa direction. With respect to their stimulatory action on phosphate absorption, the calcinogenic plant factors retained their biological activity when phosphate transport was depressed by a high strontium diet. Their action in overcoming the strontium inhibition of phosphate absorption, calcium-binding protein synthesis, and alkaline phosphatase activity, was comparable to the effect of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. On the basis of these biological responses, the action of the plant factors from Solanum malacoxylon and Cestrum diurnum provides further evidence for their close resemblance to the hormonally active sterol.

Animals