Regulation of FGF23 production in bone

The biologically active form of vitamin D regulates the concentration of phosphate in the bloodstream. Vitamin D deficiency results in the softening and weakening of bones, causing rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. An understanding of the mechanism of regulation of expression would allow new therapies to be developed for diseases associated with abnormal phosphate metabolism.

Yamamoto and colleagues sought to investigate the regulation of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) expression during osteoblast development. FGF23 is a member of the family responsible for phosphate metabolism and has been identified as the factor responsible for hypophosphatemic rickets. Using a rat calvaria cell culture model, they found that vitamin D and inorganic phosphate synergistically increased FGF23 production and the expression of vitamin D receptor mRNA. This stimulatory effect of vitamin D on FGF23 production was mainly found in mature cells. Yamamoto et al. (2010) Journal of Endocrinology 206, 279-286.

Read full article at: DOI:10.1677/JOE-10-0058.