title: Human colon cell line HT-29: characterisation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor and induction of differentiation by the hormone.
abstract: The human colon carcinoma cell line HT-29 differentiates into functional enterocytes upon replacement of glucose by galactose in the culture medium. Since the differentiation of other types of cells is associated with the modulation of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3) receptor concentrations and since enterocytes are classical target cells for 1,25(OH)2D3 we have examined the HT-29 cells to determine whether the differentiated and undifferentiated stages could be directly linked to the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors. HT-29 cells were grown in Dulbecco's modified medium containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) and glucose or galactose. Cell differentiation was assessed by measuring the brush border hydrolase, maltase. 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors were studied in the cells after 48 h without FCS. Nuclear uptake was measured in intact dispersed cells and the receptor protein was further characterized by vitamin D metabolite binding specificity, sucrose density gradient analysis and binding to DNA-cellulose. Maltase activity was 5-fold greater in differentiated HT-29 cells than in undifferentiated cells. Scatchard analysis showed a highly specific saturable (9500 sites per cell) high affinity (2 x 10(-10) M), binding of 1,25(OH)2D3 in undifferentiated cells. This receptor-like protein sedimented at 3.3S, bound to and eluted from DNA-cellulose and had all the characteristics of a 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor. No specific binding was detected in differentiated HT-29 cells. The presence of 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors in undifferentiated HT-29 cells implies that these cells are targets for vitamin D. The maltase activity increased significantly when undifferentiated cells were exposed to 1,25(OH)2D3 for 5-6 days, indicating that the hormone can promote differentiation of HT-29 cells. These results demonstrate that HT-29 cells can provide a new model for studying steroid receptor regulation and cell differentiation.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U.120, Alliée CNRS, Le Vésinet, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brehier
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thomasset
mesh_terms: D002117:Calcitriol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000378:metabolism*; D013393:Sucrase / Q000378:metabolism; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases; D013393:Sucrase; D002117:Calcitriol