Vitamin D Receptor Gene Expression in Hypercalciuric Rats

Hypercalciuria in genetic hypercalciuric stone–forming (GHS) rats is accompanied by intestinal Ca hyperabsorption with normal serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 [1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ] levels, elevation of intestinal, kidney, and bone vitamin D receptor (VDR) content, and greater 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 -induced bone resorption in vitro. To test the hypothesis that hyperresponsiveness of VDR gene expression to 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 may mediate these observations, male GHS and wild-type SpragueDawley normocalciuric control rats were fed a normal Ca diet (0.6% Ca) and received a single intraperitoneal injection of either 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 (10–200 ng/100 g body wt) or vehicle. Total RNAs were isolated from both duodenum and kidney cortex, and the VDR and calbindin mRNA levels were determined by Northern blot hybridization using specific cDNA probes. Under basal conditions, VDR mRNA levels in GHS rats were lower in duodenum and higher in kidney compared with wild-type controls. Administration of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 increased VDR gene expression significantly in GHS but not normocalciuric animals, in a timeand dose-dependent manner. In vivo half-life of VDR mRNA was similar in GHS and control rats in both duodenum and kidney, and was prolonged significantly (from 4–5 to . 8 h) by 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 administration. Neither inhibition of gene transcription by actinomycin D nor inhibition of de novo protein synthesis with cycloheximide blocked the upregulation of VDR gene expression stimulated by 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 administration. No alteration or mutation was detected in the sequence of duodenal VDR mRNA from GHS rats compared with wild-type animals. Furthermore, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 administration also led to an increase in duodenal and renal calbindin mRNA levels in GHS rats, whereas they were either suppressed or unchanged in wild-type animals. The results suggest that GHS rats hyperrespond to minimal doses of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 by an upregulation of VDR gene expression. This hyperresponsiveness of GHS rats to 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ( a ) occurs through an increase in VDR mRNA stability without involving alteration in gene transcription, de novo protein synthesis, or mRNA sequence; and ( b ) is likely of functional significance, and affects VDR-responsive genes in 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 target tissues. This unique characteristic suggests that GHS rats may be susceptible to minimal fluctuations in serum 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 , resulting in increased VDR and VDR-responsive events, which in turn may pathologically amplify the actions of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 on Ca metabolism that thus contribute to the hypercalciuria and stone formation. ( J. Clin. Invest. 1998. 101:2223–2232.)