Differential Regulation of Vitamin D Receptor by P53, P63, and P73

This study explored the regulation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) by the p53 family members, focusing on p63 and p73. It was found that VDR is a direct target of p63 and p73, but not p53. In human epidermoid cancer cells, downregulation of p63 led to a loss of VDR expression, while upregulation of VDR by p63 inhibited cell migration and invasion. Additionally, p73 was essential for DNA damage-induced VDR expression and vitamin D-mediated osteoblastic differentiation, suggesting that p73 enhances the sensitivity of cells to vitamin D. These findings highlighted the distinct roles of p63 and p73 in regulating VDR, with implications for understanding p63 biology and developing vitamin D-based cancer therapies.