# RICKETS AND OSTEOMALACIA IN NEW WORLD PRIMATES

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 1989 · $3,662

## Abstract

When compared to Old World primates, New World primates
reared in captivity exhibit an inordinately high incidence of
osteomalacia.  The disease is characterized biochemically by a
decrease in cellular content of the specific, high affinity receptor
for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2-D3).  This decrement in
the functional intracellular receptor concentration for 1,25-
(OH)2-D3, a phenomenon similar to that observed in some human
subjects with vitamin D-dependent rickets, type II (VDDR-II), is
compensated by maintenance of high circulating concentrations of
1,25-(OH)2-D3.  The aims of the proposed research are threefold.
The first objective is to establish the phylogenetic extent of the
altered 1,25-(OH)2-D3-receptor interaction among simian and
prosimian species in order to determine its origin in the primate
branching sequence and to better understand factors responsible
for the genesis of the alteration.  The second objective is to
characterize the compensatory measures that New World
primates have adopted to maintain mineral ion homeostasis in the
face of target cell "resistance" to the 1,25-(OH)2-D3 hormone.
The third major objective is to identify the site(s) along the
pathway of the intracellular mode of action 1,25-(OH)2-D3 that
give rise to the altered hormone-receptor interaction in New
World primates.  In large part these objectives will be approached
by comparative analysis of biochemical data obtained from
cultured cells and small amounts of serum from New World
primates, Old World primates, and prosimians; characterization of
the New World primate receptor-1,25-(OH)2-D3 interaction will
be examined with the aid of "intact cell" adn isolated receptor-
hormone binding analysis, in vitro heterologous receptor-nucleus
reconstitution experiments, immunoblot analysis of receptor with
monoclonal antireceptor antibody, and quantitative bioassay of
hormone-induced intracellular events.  An exploration of the
genetically altered 1,25-(OH)2-D3-receptor interaction in New
World primates will expand our knowledge of the intracellular
handling of 1,25-(OH)2-D3, lend insight into the fundamental
similarities between the cellular action of sterol (1,25-(OH)2-D3)
and steroid (glucocorticoids, sex steroids, and mineralocorticoids)
hormones and perhaps provide a model system for the human
disease, VDDR-II.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3158111
- **Project number:** 5R01AR037399-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** G88KLJR3KYT5
- **Principal Investigator:** John S Adams
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $3,662
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-04-01 → 1989-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3158111

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3158111, RICKETS AND OSTEOMALACIA IN NEW WORLD PRIMATES (5R01AR037399-02). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3158111. Licensed CC0.

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