Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
08:43

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation

Published on: May 31, 2016

[Molecular mechanisms of vitamin K action in the bone homeostasis]

Tomoe Ichikawa1, Satoshi Inoue

  • 1Division of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical School.

Clinical Calcium
|May 7, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin K plays a crucial role in bone health by aiding in protein modification and regulating gene expression, potentially reducing osteoporosis and hip fracture risks.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Bone Metabolism

Context:

  • Vitamin K is utilized as an anti-osteoporosis medication in Japan.
  • Vitamin K intake is associated with a reduced risk of hip fractures.
  • Bone homeostasis involves complex molecular mechanisms.

Purpose:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of vitamin K action in bone metabolism.
  • To investigate the role of vitamin K in protein modification and gene expression related to bone health.

Summary:

  • Vitamin K acts as an essential cofactor in vitamin K-dependent carboxylation, modifying glutamic acid residues to gamma-carboxyglutamic acid residues.
  • Vitamin K regulates gene transcription via the steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR), a newly identified mechanism.
  • These two pathways, protein carboxylation and gene regulation, likely work together to influence bone metabolism.

Impact:

  • Provides insight into the dual mechanisms of vitamin K in bone health.
  • Highlights potential therapeutic targets for osteoporosis and fracture prevention.
  • Contributes to understanding the broader role of vitamin K beyond coagulation.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells06:47

Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells

Published on: May 4, 2018

Using Real-Time Cell Metabolic Flux Analyzer to Monitor Osteoblast Bioenergetics09:43

Using Real-Time Cell Metabolic Flux Analyzer to Monitor Osteoblast Bioenergetics

Published on: March 1, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone Remodeling

Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Essential Minerals for Bone Health01:31

Essential Minerals for Bone Health

The minerals contained in all of the food we consume are essential for our organ systems. However, certain essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and fluoride, largely affect bone health.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...
Hormones and Bone Tissue01:17

Hormones and Bone Tissue

The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis01:21

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...