Expression and Regulation of the Vitamin D Receptor in the Zebrafish, Danio rerio

Vitamin D and vitamin D metabolites such as 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D [1α,25(OH)2D3] circulate in the serum of fish. The receptor for 1α,25(OH)2D3 (VDR) has previously been cloned from fish intestine, and ligand binding assays have shown the presence of the VDR in the gills, i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of bone and mineral research 2008-09, Vol.23 (9), p.1486-1496
Main Authors: Craig, Theodore A, Sommer, Stacy, Sussman, Caroline R, Grande, Joseph P, Kumar, Rajiv
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3 - pharmacology
25‐dihydroxyvitamin D
Animals
Antibodies - pharmacology
Biological and medical sciences
calcium
Cryoultramicrotomy
Danio
Danio rerio
Embryo, Nonmammalian - cytology
Embryo, Nonmammalian - drug effects
Embryo, Nonmammalian - metabolism
Eye - cytology
Eye - drug effects
Eye - metabolism
Female
Fertilization - drug effects
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Immune Sera
Intestines - drug effects
Intestines - metabolism
Lithocholic Acid - pharmacology
Male
Nervous System - cytology
Nervous System - drug effects
Nervous System - metabolism
Organ Specificity - drug effects
Original
Receptors, Calcitriol - metabolism
Skeleton and joints
Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system
vitamin D receptor
zebrafish
Zebrafish - embryology
Zebrafish - metabolism
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Summary:Vitamin D and vitamin D metabolites such as 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D [1α,25(OH)2D3] circulate in the serum of fish. The receptor for 1α,25(OH)2D3 (VDR) has previously been cloned from fish intestine, and ligand binding assays have shown the presence of the VDR in the gills, intestine, and liver of fish. Using immunohistochemical methods with specific antibodies against the VDR, we now report that the VDR is widely expressed in tissues of the adult male and female zebrafish, Danio rerio, specifically in epithelial cells of gills, tubular cells of the kidney, and absorptive cells in the intestine. Additionally, the VDR is expressed in the skin, the olfactory organ, the retina, brain, and spinal cord. Sertoli cells of the testis, oocytes, acinar cells of the pancreas, hepatocytes, and bile duct epithelial cells express substantial amounts of the receptor. Osteoblast‐like cells and chondrocytes also express VDR. Preimmune serum and antiserum preadsorbed with Danio VDR protein fails to detect VDR in the same tissues. The VDR is also present in the developing eye, brain, and otic vesicle of 48‐ and 96‐h postfertilization zebrafish embryos. Parenteral administration of 1α,25(OH)2D3 increases concentrations of VDR in intestinal epithelial cells but not in epithelial cells of the gills. Lithocholic acid, however, does not alter concentrations of VDR after parenteral administration. The data suggest that VDR is widely distributed in tissues of the zebrafish, D. rerio, and is likely to play important roles in epithelial transport, bone, and endocrine function. Furthermore, concentrations of the receptor seem to be regulated by its ligand, 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D but not by lithocholic acid. Zebrafish may serve as a useful model in which to assess the function of the VDR in diverse tissues.
ISSN:0884-0431
1523-4681
DOI:10.1359/jbmr.080403