Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
05:03
Quantitative Analysis of Dietary Vitamin A Metabolites in Murine Ocular and Non-Ocular Tissues Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Published on: December 27, 2024
Vitamin D receptor: a highly versatile nuclear receptor.
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612-7230, USA. jrwuwong@uic.edu
Kidney International
|July 27, 2007
Summary
Vitamin D receptor (VDR) modulators may reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Research suggests VDR regulates a key receptor in kidney cells, potentially explaining this protective effect.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Hyperparathyroidism is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Vitamin D receptor (VDR) modulators treat secondary hyperparathyroidism in CKD.
- CKD patients have high cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of VDR in regulating cardiovascular function in CKD.
- To explore potential mechanisms linking VDR activation to reduced CVD risk in CKD.
Main Methods:
- Study focused on inner medullary collecting duct cells.
- Investigated the interaction between VDR and type A natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR-A).
Main Results:
- VDR was found to be involved in regulating NPR-A expression and function.
- This regulation may be a key pathway for VDR's cardioprotective effects.
Conclusions:
- VDR activation may mitigate CVD risk in CKD patients through NPR-A regulation.
- Further research into VDR-NPR-A pathways could yield new therapeutic strategies for CKD-related CVD.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Transducer 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:
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
01:26Signal Transduction: Overview
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. They respond to chemical signals, such as hormones, neurotransmitters, and other signaling molecules, initiating a series of molecular reactions to produce an appropriate response. This is called signal transduction. Cells also coordinate different responses elicited by the same signaling molecule via mediators, allowing molecular cross-talk.
Typically, signal transduction involves three...
Typically, signal transduction involves three...
01:08Intracellular Hormone Receptors
Lipid-soluble hormones diffuse across the plasma and nuclear membrane of target cells to bind to their specific intracellular receptors. These receptors act as transcription factors that regulate gene expression and protein synthesis in the target cell
01:27Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
01:28Diversity of Antigen Receptors
Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
01:15G Protein-coupled Receptors
G Protein-Coupled Receptors or GPCRs are membrane-bound receptors that transiently associate with heterotrimeric G proteins and induce an appropriate response to sensory stimuli such as light, odors, hormones, cytokines, or neurotransmitters.
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...