Expression of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 24-hydroxylase cytochrome P450 in kidney and intestine. Effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and age.

To study the mechanism of hormonal regulation of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D 24-hydroxylase, a DNA probe complementary to the published sequence of the recently cloned P450 component [(1991) FEBS Lett. 278, 195] was employed. Young (2 month) and adult (12 month) F344 rats, deficient in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, were given a single dose of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. In young rats, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D markedly increased P450 mRNA levels within 3 h in both kidney and intestine, and maximal levels were attained at 16 and 3 h, respectively. In adult animals, maximal induction of mRNA was diminished in the kidney, and the decline was slower in the intestine. Time of maximal induction did not change with age. These studies demonstrate for the first time regulation of the 24-hydroxylase enzyme by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D at the level of the mRNA for the cytochrome P450. They also demonstrate that this regulation may change with age.