Endocrine Abstracts

The nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) can recognize and bind the 1,25(OH)2D3 (1,25D) hormone and the carcinogenic bile acid lithocholic acid (LCA) as cognate ligands. VDR liganded with 1,25D or LCA can elicit expression of the metabolizing enzyme CYP3A4 within enteric cells, suggesting an important role for VDR in cellular detoxification in addition to its well-defined endocrine effects on calcium and phosphate homeostasis. Using a range of biochemical and...

The kidney plays a vital role in the Ca2+ homeostasis by determining the excretion of Ca2+ from the body. The fine-tuning of Ca2+ excretion takes place in the distal convoluted and connecting tubule, where Ca2+ is actively reabsorbed via the transcellular pathway. A major breakthrough in completing the molecular details of this pathway was the identification of the epithelial Ca2+ channel TRPV5. Functional analysis ...

Over the last 25 years roles have been established for vitamin D receptor (VDR) to influence cell proliferation and differentiation. For example murine knockout approaches have revealed a role for the VDR to govern mammary gland growth and function. These actions appear widespread as the enzymes responsible for 1α25(OH)2D3 generation and degradation, and the VDR itself, are all functionally present in a wide range of epithelial and haematopoietic cel...

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] exerts its effects via the vitamin D receptor (VDR) that belongs to the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily leading to gene regulation mediating various biological responses. Within the last two decades, the receptor has been shown to be present not only in classical target tissues such as bone, kidney and intestine but also in many other non-classical tissues, e.g., in the immune system, in the reproductive system, in the...