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The function of vitamin D receptor in vitamin D action

S Kato1

  • 1Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi-cho, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan. uskato@mail.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Journal of Biochemistry
|May 2, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) controls gene expression for biological actions like calcium homeostasis. Understanding VDR

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Vitamin D influences calcium homeostasis, cell proliferation, and differentiation.
  • These actions are mediated by the vitamin D receptor (VDR), a nuclear hormone receptor.
  • VDR functions as a ligand-inducible transcription factor, requiring coactivator complexes for activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To overview the function of the VDR as a ligand-induced transcription factor.
  • To describe the phenotype of VDR gene knock-out mice.
  • To elucidate VDR-mediated regulation of vitamin D biosynthesis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of VDR's role in gene transcription.
  • Analysis of VDR gene knock-out mouse models.
  • Investigation of VDR's transcriptional and negative regulation mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • VDR acts as a crucial transcription factor in vitamin D's biological effects.
  • VDR gene knock-out mice exhibit specific phenotypes related to VDR deficiency.
  • VDR regulates key enzymes in vitamin D biosynthesis.

Conclusions:

  • VDR plays a central role in the transcriptional control of vitamin D target genes.
  • Understanding VDR function is essential for comprehending vitamin D's diverse biological roles.
  • VDR-mediated regulation impacts vitamin D metabolism and action.

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