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Vitamin D Receptor (VDR)

Nuclear hormone receptor that, after binding calcitriol and heterodimerizing with RXR, recognizes vitamin D response elements (VDREs) in target genes to regulate transcription.

Also: VDR

VDR is expressed in classical target tissues (intestine, bone, kidney, parathyroid) and in over 30 other tissues including immune cells, supporting the broad noncalcemic actions of vitamin D. Calcitriol-VDR complex recruits coactivators and remodels chromatin at VDREs. VDR polymorphisms (FokI, BsmI, ApaI, TaqI) have been studied in relation to bone density, but effect sizes are modest.

How one textbook covers it

  • Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 12th ed. — Ch 18: Vitamin D

    VDR is expressed in classical target tissues (intestine, bone, kidney, parathyroid) and in over 30 other tissues including immune cells, supporting the broad noncalcemic actions of vitamin D. Calcitriol-VDR complex recruits coactivators and remodels chromatin at VDREs. VDR polymorphisms (FokI, BsmI, ApaI, TaqI) have been studied in relation to bone density, but effect sizes are modest.

Related terms

Calcitriol, RXR, Vitamin D