Methylation of the Vitamin D Receptor Gene in Human Disorders

Beatrice Gasperini; Angela Falvino; Eleonora Piccirilli; Umberto Tarantino; Annalisa Botta; Virginia Veronica Visconti

doi:10.3390/ijms25010107

Methylation of the Vitamin D Receptor Gene in Human Disorders

Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Dec 20;25(1):107. doi: 10.3390/ijms25010107.

Authors

Beatrice Gasperini¹, Angela Falvino¹, Eleonora Piccirilli², Umberto Tarantino², Annalisa Botta¹, Virginia Veronica Visconti¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
² Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.

Abstract

The Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) mediates the actions of 1,25-Dihydroxvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)₂D₃), which has important roles in bone homeostasis, growth/differentiation of cells, immune functions, and reduction of inflammation. Emerging evidences suggest that epigenetic modifications of the VDR gene, particularly DNA methylation, may contribute to the onset and progression of many human disorders. This review aims to summarize the available information on the role of VDR methylation signatures in different pathological contexts, including autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, cancer, and others. The reversible nature of DNA methylation could enable the development of therapeutic strategies, offering new avenues for the management of these worldwide diseases.

Keywords: DNA methylation; VDR-related diseases; epigenetics; vitamin D receptor (VDR).

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Autoimmune Diseases*
Cell Differentiation
DNA Methylation
Epigenesis, Genetic
Humans
Receptors, Calcitriol* / genetics

Substances

Receptors, Calcitriol
VDR protein, human

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.