What is the Origin of Vitamin D Receptor (VDR)?

The term is descriptive, identifying the receptor protein for the vitamin D hormone. Its discovery clarified how a nutrient could function as a potent steroid hormone, fundamentally linking nutritional science to classical endocrinology. VDR research is a critical and expanding area in hormonal health and personalized medicine.

What is the Mechanism of Vitamin D Receptor (VDR)?

Upon binding to its active ligand, calcitriol, the VDR forms a heterodimer complex with the Retinoid X Receptor (RXR). This complex then translocates to the cell nucleus and binds to specific DNA sequences, known as Vitamin D Response Elements (VDREs), located in the promoter regions of target genes. This binding modulates gene transcription, either activating or repressing the expression of genes involved in diverse physiological processes, including insulin secretion and parathyroid hormone regulation.

Vitamin D Receptor (VDR)

Meaning

The Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) is a ubiquitous nuclear receptor protein that mediates the profound biological effects of the active form of vitamin D, known as calcitriol or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. VDR is widely expressed in tissues throughout the body, extending its function far beyond its classical role in calcium and bone homeostasis to include critical roles in immune function, cellular proliferation, and endocrine signaling. It fundamentally acts as a ligand-activated transcription factor.