Vitamin D controls cancer by regulating telomere and telomerase

Abstract

Deficiency of vitamin D in the body may cause many disorders and diseases including cancer. Vitamin D receptors are one of the most important nuclear receptors responsible for transcription and cellular proliferation and thus affects telomere and telomerase. Telomerase enzymes is responsible for transcription and copies the telomere. The process of telomere copying leads to absence of cell death and thus causes the cellular proliferation of cells within the body. If maintained at normal level, vitamin D regulates and controls the processes of cellular replication and proliferation leading to control and regulation of rate of secretion of telomerase which in turn maintains the appropriate telomere length. Since telomerase is one of the primary factors of cancer spread, telomerase regulation and control can lead to cancer control. Therefore, by maintaining normal vitamin D level in the body DNA can be protected from damage.