Stabilization of the vitamin D receptor in rat osteosarcoma cells through the action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

A regulatory mechanism for the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in rat osteosarcoma cells (ROS 17/2.8) is stabilization of the receptor through binding of its ligand, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3]. Increased transcription of the gene encoding VDR does not occur upon treatment of these osteoblast-like cells with 1,25-(OH)2D3. When 10 nM 1,25-(OH)2D3 was administered to confluent cultures of ROS 17/2.8 cells, no change in receptor mRNA was detected, as measured by a ribonuclease protection assay. VDR abundance was measured using an immunoradiometric assay at varying time points within a 24-h period after 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment. Receptor protein levels increased rapidly and continued to rise over 24 h. By 2 h, the level of receptor increased 2.5-fold, achieving a maximum level of 8-fold above the baseline at 18 h. The half-life of the receptor protein is 2 h in the absence of hormone, as determined by blockage of translation in cycloheximide-treated cells. In the presence of hormone, however, receptor levels were unchanged for at least 6 h. The administration of 1,25-(OH)2D3 stabilizes the receptor, thereby resulting in its accumulation in ROS 17/2.8 cells.