The blood storage for of vitamin D3 is activated by 1-alpha hydroxylase enzyme into the active form of vitamin D3 (1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3). Once activated it must still be modified by proteins to once it interacts with the vitamin D receptor (VDR) to initiate activity of gene(s).
Concerning the intracellular proteins and the process that is responsible for activating vitamin D3 to initiate the production of the cellular enzymes I have not spelled out here how this intracellular machinery works.
The reason is as so far, I have no evidence cancer cells affect this intracellular process. However, If I do find that cancer cells do interact with this intracellular process I will. Additionally, I am not sure if explaining this process really increases understanding. So, I have not put it here.
As I discussed in my last blog posts the CYP24A1 gene when defective can lead to hypercalcemia. Well that is not all the havoc this gene can cause. Yes, we of course need it as the last blog posts demonstrated. The issue in cancer is over activation, not lack of activity, when we discuss many types of cancer.
Many cancers increase the activity of the CYP24A1 gene and to over produce the enzyme-24-hydroxolase. The enzyme that breaks down the active form of vitamin D3. Or some cancer cells alter the activity of the CYP27B1 gene,
This gene which helps determine the intracellular levels of the active form of vitamin D3- 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3. In my research I only found mention of the CYP27B1 in an article concerning breast cancer. Though probably important in other cancers where the CYP24A1 gene is overactive, but until there is more research on it, I will not mention again.
Cancers also take advantage of vitamin D3 deficiency. Many cancers also may be, and I believe they are more common in the 30+% of the population with genetic defects in either the VDR and/or the intracellular machinery that activates the vitamin D3 in the cells.
As by having one or more of these genetic defects the cell has a reduced ability to activate the genes involved in the autocrine immune system. Thus, reducing the cells and body’s ability to fight off diseases like infections and as we are discussing here cancer.
I have been focusing on these blog posts solely on the autocrine effects of vitamin D3. As I wrote in my book, I believe the endocrine function of vitamin D3-bone metabolism- the active form of vitamin D3 works solely on the exterior of the cells. As I believe the active form of vitamin D3 cannot diffuse into to or out of our cells.
Thus, separating the autocrine and endocrine functions of the active form of vitamin D3’s. That is the intracellular active form of vitamin D3 does not leak out of the cells were formed nor into the cell from the blood. This is only way I can see that this works as otherwise the systems would interfere with each other.
So though writing solely about the autocrine function of cells these changes cancer cells initiate to undermine the immune system also may affect those cells that are involved in the endocrine function-calcium metabolism-in the body. Thus, causing hypercalcemia.
Cancer cells may in cases where the afflicted patient suffers from both cancer and hypercalcemia also may do one or all the following. Leak the active form of vitamin D3 from the cells or have a way of pumping the active form of vitamin D3 out of the cells. Thus boosting survival
Another possible scenario is if the cells from the kidneys the ones normally involved in the endocrine function. That is to raise the concentration of the active form of vitamin D3 in the blood plasma (to increase blood plasma calcium levels) are malignant they may cause hypercalcemia.
They could do this by increasing the production of the active form of vitamin D3 either in the kidneys or from metastatic cells from these kidney cells by increasing the conversion of 25 hydroxy vitamin D3 (blood storage form) into 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3 (the active form) outside of the cells.
From here on I will focus on the intracellular affect’s (autocrine) that cancer cells have on vitamin D3. As you can see there are many possible pathways for cancer cells affecting either the intracellular levels of the active form of vitamin D3. Thus assuring cancer cell survival.
Also how effective the active form is in modulating the genes important in the intracellular immune function of killing cancer cells.
*The information posted above is for educational purposes only. Always check with your doctor before initiating any changes in your medical treatment. If you do not, then The Two-Minute Health Fact, Dr. Judson Somerville, nor The Optimal Dose is responsible!
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