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Expression and Regulation of the Vitamin D Receptor in the Zebrafish, Danio rerio
Author(s) -
Craig Theodore A,
Sommer Stacy,
Sussman Caroline R,
Grande Joseph P,
Kumar Rajiv
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of bone and mineral research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.882
H-Index - 241
eISSN - 1523-4681
pISSN - 0884-0431
DOI - 10.1359/jbmr.080403
Subject(s) - danio , zebrafish , calcitriol receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , vitamin d and neurology , receptor , medicine , endocrinology , biology , biochemistry , gene
Vitamin D and vitamin D metabolites such as 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D [1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 ] circulate in the serum of fish. The receptor for 1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 (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) 2 D 3 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.