Where is the vitamin D receptor?

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and plays a central role in the biological actions of vitamin D. VDR regulates the expression of numerous genes involved in calcium/phosphate homeostasis, cellular proliferation and differentiation, and immune response, largely in a ligand-dependent manner. To understand the global function of the vitamin D system in physiopathological processes, great effort has been devoted to the detection of VDR in various tissues and cells, many of which have been identified as vitamin D targets. This review focuses on the tissue- and cell type-specific distribution of VDR throughout the body.

► VDR is highest in intestinal enterocytes, pancreatic islets, renal distal tubules, osteoblasts.
► The positive presence of VDR in other tissues is discussed.
► VDR is not found in mature muscle including heart and liver.
► Poor specificity, antibodies, lack of controls have confounded VDR reports.