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Reverse Yeast Two-hybrid System to Identify Mammalian Nuclear Receptor Residues that Interact with Ligands and/or Antagonists
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Nuclear receptors of the enteric tract: guarding the frontier

Daniel R Schmidt1, David J Mangelsdorf

  • 1The Department of Pharmacology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9050, USA.

Nutrition Reviews
|December 5, 2008
PubMed

Insights

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) and related nuclear receptors regulate nutrient uptake, metabolism, and mucosal protection. This review explores their homeostatic functions within the gut.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • The vitamin D receptor (VDR) plays a key role beyond mineral homeostasis, influencing immunoregulation and cancer.
  • VDR shares evolutionary and functional links with other nuclear receptors, forming a broader network.
  • This network is characterized by a common, organism-wide tissue expression profile.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the major homeostatic functions of the enteric nuclear receptor network.
  • To highlight the interconnected roles of VDR and related nuclear receptors in gut physiology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on the functional roles of nuclear receptors in the gut.
  • Analysis of evolutionary and functional links between VDR and other nuclear receptors.
  • Synthesis of data on nutrient uptake, xenobiotic metabolism, and mucosal protection.

Main Results:

  • The vitamin D receptor (VDR) and related nuclear receptors form a critical transcriptional regulatory network in the gut.
  • This network is involved in essential processes including nutrient uptake, xenobiotic metabolism, and mucosal protection.
  • The review consolidates the understanding of these receptors' homeostatic functions.

Conclusions:

  • The enteric nuclear receptor network, including VDR, is crucial for maintaining gut homeostasis.
  • Understanding this network provides insights into VDR's diverse physiological roles.
  • Further research into this network can inform therapeutic strategies for gut-related diseases.

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