Endocrinology, Vol 119, 2568-2573, Copyright © 1986 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Stimulation by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 of adenylate cyclase along the villus of chick duodenum

RG Long, DD Bikle and SJ Munson

Administration of 650 pmol 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] to vitamin D-deficient chicks increased adenylate cyclase activity in the basolateral membrane of duodenal epithelial cells within 24 h. This increase in enzymatic activity was accompanied by an increase in calmodulin content of the basolateral membrane. Although neither exogenously added calmodulin (up to 10 micrograms/ml) nor calcium (from 10(-7)-10(-5) M) stimulated enzyme activity, calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine, W7, and W13 inhibited it. When calmodulin content, adenylate cyclase activity, and alkaline phosphatase activity were measured in cells sequentially eluted from the tip to the base of the villus, cells from the midregion and base had the highest calmodulin content and adenylate cyclase activity, whereas alkaline phosphatase activity (a brush border membrane enzyme) was highest in cells eluted from the tip. Adenylate cyclase activity was increased by 1,25-(OH)2D3, particularly in cells from the midvillus. Our results indicate that the response of adenylate cyclase activity to 1,25-(OH)2D3 varies along the villus and suggest that calmodulin may be involved.