Vitamin D receptor and retinoid X receptor interactions in motion

J Barsony1, K Prufer

  • 1Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Biology, National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. jul@helix.nih.gov

Vitamins and Hormones
|December 17, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Retinoid X receptor (RXR) dimerization is crucial for Vitamin D receptor (VDR) function, influencing gene transcription. New research reveals dynamic VDR-RXR interactions within cells, impacting VDR

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR) are nuclear receptors that form heterodimers to regulate gene transcription.
  • Dimerization with RXR is essential for VDR's ligand-dependent and ligand-independent functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the latest findings on RXR's role in VDR function.
  • To explore the dynamic nature of VDR-RXR heterodimerization and its implications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of biochemical, structural, and genetic studies.
  • Analysis of recent microscopy studies using fluorescent protein chimeras in living cells.

Main Results:

  • RXR dimerization is vital for VDR's roles in calcium homeostasis, bone development, cell growth, and hair growth.
  • VDR and RXR exhibit dynamic shuttling between cellular compartments.
  • Receptor-DNA and receptor-coregulator interactions are transient.

Conclusions:

  • RXR's role in regulating VDR dynamics has broad significance due to RXR's promiscuous dimerization.
  • Understanding these dynamic interactions offers new perspectives on nuclear receptor function.

Related Concept Videos

Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors01:31

Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors

Nuclear receptors, or NRs, are unique transcription factors that regulate gene transcription and affect the cellular pathways involved in reproduction, development, or metabolism. Their ability to be stimulated by small lipophilic ligands and control vital cellular processes makes them ideal drug targets. Nearly 10-15% of currently prescribed drugs target these receptors.
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
Drug-Receptor Interactions01:29

Drug-Receptor Interactions

Drug-receptor interaction describes the binding of receptors by drugs, but not all drug-receptor interactions result in activation and tissue response. For instance, the binding of agonists activates the receptor to generate a cellular reaction, while antagonists bind to receptors without causing their activation.
Several parameters, such as the drug's affinity for its receptor and its efficacy, which is its ability to activate the receptor, determine the drug's effect on the tissue.
Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis01:23

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis

The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs01:15

Receptor Downregulation in MVBs

Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that  lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR  stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive  EGFR activation may...