Stable reporter gene assay based on Gal4-vitamin D receptor β fusion proteins in medaka (Oryzias latipes), and its transactivational properties.

The transactivational property of natural and synthetic chemicals via medaka vitamin D receptor β subtype (VDRβ) was investigated after the development of a stable cell line expressing a Gal4-VDRβ fusion protein for reporter gene assay. Members of vitamin D class, including 1α, 25- dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25VD3) were specifically detected as agonists in our system. Although other steroids and chemicals used in the present estimation induced no agonistic response, 10 compounds displayed antagonistic or synergistic activity.