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. 1999 Feb 19;96(4):507-15.
doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)80655-8.

An endocytic pathway essential for renal uptake and activation of the steroid 25-(OH) vitamin D3

A Nykjaer  1 , D Dragun, D Walther, H Vorum, C Jacobsen, J Herz, F Melsen, E I Christensen, T E Willnow
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Free article

An endocytic pathway essential for renal uptake and activation of the steroid 25-(OH) vitamin D3

A Nykjaer et al. Cell. .
Free article

Abstract

Steroid hormones may enter cells by diffusion through the plasma membrane. However, we demonstrate here that some steroid hormones are taken up by receptor-mediated endocytosis of steroid-carrier complexes. We show that 25-(OH) vitamin D3 in complex with its plasma carrier, the vitamin D-binding protein, is filtered through the glomerulus and reabsorbed in the proximal tubules by the endocytic receptor megalin. Endocytosis is required to preserve 25-(OH) vitamin D3 and to deliver to the cells the precursor for generation of 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3, a regulator of the calcium metabolism. Megalin-/- mice are unable to retrieve the steroid from the glomerular filtrate and develop vitamin D deficiency and bone disease.

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