Vitamin D receptor regulates transcription of mitochondrial DNA and directly interacts with mitochondrial DNA and TFAM

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is an essential transcription factor (TF) synthesized in different cell types. We hypothesized that VDR might also act as a mitochondrial TF. We conducted the experiments in primary cortical neurons, PC12, HEK293T, SH-SY5Y cell lines, human peripheral blood mononu-clear cells (PBMC) and human brain. We showed that vitamin D/VDR affects the expression of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encoded oxidative phospho-rylation (OXPHOS) subunits. We observed the co-localization of VDR with mitochondria and the mtDNA with confocal microscopy. mtDNA-chromatin-immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated that VDR was able to bind to the mtDNA D-loop site in several locations, with a consensus sequence MMHKCA. We also reported the possible interaction between VDR and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and their binding sites located in close proximity in mtDNA. Consequently, our results showed for the first time that VDR was able to bind and regulate mtDNA transcription and interact with TFAM even in the human brain. These results not only revealed a novel function of VDR, but also showed that VDR is indispensable for energy demanded cells. (c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, it was found that Vitamin D receptor (VDR) may function as a mitochondrial transcription factor and regulate the transcription of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The research also revealed the interaction between VDR and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), suggesting their joint involvement in the regulation of mitochondrial function. These findings not only uncover a novel role of VDR, but also highlight its indispensability for energy-demanding cells.