The Functional Metabolism and Molecular Biology of Vitamin D Action

Abstract

The evolution of our understanding of the biological impact of vitamin D is briefly reviewed, with a focus on the physiology and endocrinology of the vitamin D system. This chapter attempts to bring the molecular discoveries in vitamin D metabolism and mechanisms of action in to focus on known phys-iology and endocrinology. The latest developments on metabolism of vitamin D, the enzymes involved, and the genes responsible are presented. The impact of the molecular discoveries on current views of the importance of vitamin D in public health is also presented.