A Specific High-Affinity Binding Macromolecule for 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3 in Fetal Bone

Abstract
Cytosol fractions were prepared from fetal rat or embryonic chick calvaria and analyzed for binding of vitamin D3 metabolites on sucrose density gradients. Both cytosol fractions contain a 3.5S macromolecule which specifically binds 1,25-dihydroxy-[3H]vitamin D3 and in addition, a 5 to 6S macromolecule which binds 25-hydroxy-[3H]vitamin D3. In rat calvaria cytosol, 1,25-dihydroxy-[3H]vitamin D3 also binds to the 5 to 6S macromolecule but appears to have greater affinity for the 3.5S component.