Evaluation of a photolabile derivative of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 as a photoaffinity probe for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D3 receptor in chick intestinal cytosol.

We evaluated the viability of 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-3 beta-[N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)glycinate] (1,25-(OH)2-D3-ANG), an analog of 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2-D3) as a photoaffinity probe for 1,25-(OH)2-D3 receptor in chick intestinal cytosol. A competitive-binding assay revealed that chick intestinal cytosolic 1,25-(OH)2- D3 receptor bound to 1,25-(OH)2-D3-ANG approximately 20-times less effectively than it did to 1,25-(OH)2-D3. Irradiation of 1,25-(OH)2-D3- ANG in the presence of chick intestinal cytosolic preparation significantly diminished subsequent binding to 3H-1,25-(OH)2-D3, suggesting that the photoaffinity analog was covalently attached to the receptor. Therefore the nitroarylazide derivative of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 may be a valuable photoaffinity probe for the characterization of the 1,25-(OH)2-D3 receptor.