Calcitonin receptors of human osteoclastoma

Osteoclast-rich cultures were prepared by disaggregation of osteoclastomas (giant cell tumour of bone) and settlement onto glass or plastic surfaces. Autoradiography using [ ¹²⁵ I]-salmon calcitonin ([ ¹²⁵ I]-sCT) revealed specific binding only to multinucleate giant cells (osteoclasts) and a minor population of mononuclear cells. [ ¹²⁵ I]-sCT competitive binding studies indicated a K(d) of 5 x 10 ^-10 M and receptor number of approximately 1 million sites/osteoclast. sCT treatment resulted in a dose-dependent rise in cAMP (EC ₅₀ 10 ^-10 M). Homogenates of an osteoclastoma also demonstrated specific binding of [ ¹²⁵ I]-sCT. Chemical cross-linking of a labelled synthetic sCT derivative, [ ¹²⁵ I]-[Arg ^11,18 , Lys ¹⁴ ]-sCT, using disuccinimidyl suberate, resulted in labelling of a receptor component of approximate M(r) 85-90,000. The multinucleate giant cells (osteoclasts) of human osteoclastomas possess large number of CT receptors which exhibit the same binding kinetics and apparent M(r) as those of other CT target cells.