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Vitamin D Receptor

Meaning

The Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) is an intracellular, ligand-activated transcription factor belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily, which serves as the cellular mediator for the biological effects of the active Vitamin D metabolite, calcitriol. VDRs are widely and ubiquitously expressed across nearly all tissues and cell types in the human body, underscoring Vitamin D’s critical role as a potent secosteroid hormone, not merely a nutrient. Its activation regulates the expression of hundreds of genes, profoundly impacting calcium homeostasis, immune system modulation, cellular differentiation, and endocrine signaling pathways.