In vitro transcription and translation of the human 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ receptor cDNA

A fragment of the complementary deoxyribonucleic acid to the human 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ receptor protein containing essentially the entire open reading frame was transcribed and translated in vitro. The resulting protein was then demonstrated to exhibit the physical and functional features, i.e. molecular weight, immunoreactivity, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ binding, and DNA-cellulose binding, of the native human receptor from the T47D cell line. This validates the authenticity of the cDNA in a cell free system and provides a biochemical means of generating this rare and labile macromolecule to use in heretofore difficult structure/function studies.