Cell Signaling Pathways: Steroid Hormones, Vitamin D3 Flashcards
is vitamin D a hormone or a vitamin?
both, it is converted to a hormone and it is a vitamin throughout diet
sources of vitamin D (2)
the sun
diet
sun as a source of vitamin D
bare skin exposure 5-10 minutes, 2-3 times per week (depends upon time of year and latitude)
how does vitamin D affect your teeth?
vitamin D helps reduce the risk of cavities by producing cathelicidin and denfensins
cathelicidin and denfensins have — effects to fight bacteria that cause cavities
antibacterial
research shows that vitamin D deficiency can contribute to
cavities
studies show children with severe early childhood cavities had much lower
vitamin D levels than children without severe childhood cavities
biologically active form of vitamin D3
1a,25 (OH2)D3
circulating form of vitamin D3 hormone
25 (OH2)D3
what provides the major of the circulating 1,25 (OH2)D3?
the kidney
what else can synthesize 1,25 (OH2)D3 for use in an autocrine or paracrine mechanism? (2)
skin and a variety of immune cells
what are serum levels of 25 (OH2)D3 an indicator of?
how much Vitamin D is entering the host
how is 25 (OH2)D3 transported through the serum?
vitamin D binding protein (DBP) (or transcalciferin, TC)
transcalciferin
a membrane of the albumin family of proteins
ergocalciferol
plant/fungi form and most commonly found in dietary supplements and many fortified foods
ergocalciferol vs cholecalciferol
less absorbable, less potent and shorter acting than cholecalciferol
what do the best vitamin supplements contain?
cholecalciferol
both ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol undergo a conversion to (2)
25 (OH2)D3 and 1a25 (OH2)D3
what is the active form of 1,25 (OH2)D3 known as?
calcitriol (vitamin D3)
how does 1a,25 (OH2)D3 exert its cellular actions?
by binding to the vitamin D receptor in target cells
the vitamin D receptor mediates the nuclear actions of
1a,25 (OH2)D3
the affinity of the receptor varies dramatically with —- having the highest affinity by several log orders
1a,25 (OH2)D3
vitamin D receptor (VDR)
a transcription factor regulating the expression of genes which mediate its biological activity (member of large family of nuclear hormone receptors)
VDR is widely distributed among —, not just classic targets of vitamin D
tissues