Binding of 7-dehydrocholesterol to sterol carrier protein and vitamin D3 effect.

It was confirmed that delta 5,7-sterol delta 7-reductase activity was suppressed by cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) in the enzyme system consisted of microsomes and sterol carrier protein (SCP). The enzyme activity was significantly decreased in the combination with microsomes obtained from either vitamin D-deficient or vitamin D3-treated rat liver and with SCP obtained from vitamin D3-treated rat. It was also demonstrated by the binding assay of the dextran-charcoal technique that 7-dehydrocholesterol binding to SCP could be specifically displaced by vitamin D3. The inhibition of cholecalciferol on 7-dehydrocholesterol binding to liver SCP was confirmed to be non-competitive inhibition.