Regulation of intestinal calcium-binding protein calcium intake in the rat.

Analytical gel electrophoresis of the vitamin D-dependent intestinal calcium-binding protein (CaBP) has demonstrated two protein bands (1 and 2) of similar molecular weight and similar specific binding activity. The mucosal concentration of CaBP, measured by a quantitative competitive binding assay, has been shown to vary reproducibly and inversely with calcium intake and the mucosal calcium concentration. These same factors also influence the relationship of bands 1 and 2. When animals on a high-calcium diet were placed on a low-calcium diet, their CaBP increased by 35% in 24 h and by 48% in 48 h and reached a level typical of animals on a low-calcium diet. Measurement of the diurnal variation of CaBP and mucosal calcium in animals allowed access to feed only at night revealed significant, but inverse, oscillations. These observations are interpreted as reflecting a regulation of CaBP by the mucosal calcium concentration, which appears to reflect absorbed calcium in transit.