Introduction

• The Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) is part of the nuclear receptor superfamily.
• Encoded by the VDR gene, it governs functions such as maintaining calcium balance, immune responses, and cell growth processes.
• Understanding VDR's molecular workings and health impact is crucial due to its extensive connections to well-being and diseases.

Molecular Structure and Signalling Mechanisms

• VDR is a modular protein with several distinct functional domains:
• DNA-Binding Domain (DBD): Zinc finger motifs for DNA recognition, Specific binding to Vitamin D Response Elements (VDREs), Dimerization interface for partner proteins.
• Ligand-Binding Domain (LBD): Selective binding of 1,25(OH)2D3, Conformational changes upon ligand binding, Interaction surface for coregulatory proteins.
• Canonical signalling pathway involves:
• Ligand binding to VDR, Heterodimerization with Retinoid X Receptor (RXR), Nuclear translocation, Binding to VDREs, Recruitment of transcriptional machinery.
• Modulates target gene expression through activation and repression mechanisms.

Physiological Functions and Regulation

• VDR's roles extend across multiple organ systems and cellular processes:
• Calcium Homeostasis: Regulation of calcium absorption in intestine, Control of bone mineralization, Parathyroid hormone regulation, Renal calcium reabsorption.
• Immune System Modulation: T cell differentiation and function, Cytokine production regulation, Anti-microbial peptide expression, Inflammatory response control.
• Cell Cycle and Differentiation: Growth regulation, Apoptosis control, Cell differentiation, Cancer cell proliferation inhibition.
• Activity regulated through multiple mechanisms: Ligand availability and metabolism, Post-translational modifications, Cellular localization, Coregulator availability, Target gene accessibility.

Clinical Implications and Disease Associations

• VDR dysfunction linked to numerous conditions:
• Bone Disorders: Rickets and osteomalacia, Osteoporosis, Abnormal mineral metabolism, Skeletal development issues.
• Cancer: Altered cell proliferation, Disrupted differentiation, Modified apoptotic responses, Potential therapeutic target.
• Autoimmune Diseases: Multiple sclerosis, Inflammatory bowel disease, Type 1 diabetes, Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Metabolic Disorders: Insulin resistance, Obesity, Cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes.

Recent Advances and Therapeutic Applications

• Contemporary research reveals new aspects of VDR biology:
• Novel Mechanisms: Non-genomic signalling pathways, Tissue-specific functions, Interaction with other signalling networks, Epigenetic regulation.
• Therapeutic Developments:
• VDR Agonists: Synthetic vitamin D analogs, Tissue-selective modulators, Reduced calcemic effects, Enhanced therapeutic index.
• Disease-Specific Applications: Cancer treatment strategies, Autoimmune disease therapy, Bone disorder management, Metabolic disease intervention.
• Personalized Medicine: VDR polymorphism analysis, Patient-specific dosing, Biomarker development, Treatment response prediction.

Suitable ELISA Kits

• Vitamin D3 Receptor ELISA Kit
• VDR ELISA Kit