Scientists discover gene that regulates vitamin D and halts tumor growth

Scientists have identified a gene that helps absorb and metabolize vitamin D from the gut. According to the research, inhibiting this gene could aid in developing treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases. 

The study used gene editor CRISPR/Cas9 to change the active gene SDR42E1 into an inactive form in the cells of a person with colorectal cancer.

“Here we show that blocking or inhibiting SDR42E1 may selectively stop the growth of cancer cells,” says corresponding author Dr. Georges Nemer, professor and associate dean for research at the University of College of Health and Life Sciences at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar.

The researchers highlight that vitamin D is the precursor of the hormone calcitriol, which enables the regulation of phosphate and calcium uptake needed for bones by the intestine. It also supports cell growth, muscle function, nerve cell activity, and the immune system.

“Understanding the complex mechanisms governing vitamin D absorption and metabolism is crucial for effective interventions,” reads the paper.

Vitamin D’s regulatory role

The paper, published in Frontiers in Endocrinology, reveals that when the faulty SDR42E1 copy was introduced, cancer cells’ viability fell by 53%. 

It suggests that SDR42E1 is a key molecular switch in many reactions needed for cell health — selectively killing cancer cells but leaving neighboring cells unharmed.

“Our results open new potential avenues in precision oncology, though clinical translation still requires considerable validation and long-term development,” says first author Dr. Nagham Nafiz Hendi, a professor at Middle East University in Amman, Jordan.

Nemer adds: “Because SDR42E1 is involved in vitamin D metabolism, we could also target it in any of the many diseases where vitamin D plays a regulatory role. For example, nutrition studies have indicated that the hormone can lower the risk of cancer, kidney disease, and autoimmune and metabolic disorders.”

However, Hendi cautions that since the long-term effects of SDR42E1 on vitamin D balance are still unclear, such broader applications must be done carefully.

In other gene editing news, new research found that engineering a gut microbe can unlock new natural treatments against diseases. Scientists genetically modified the common gut bacterium Phocaeicola vulgatus. When proliferating in the gut microbiome, it reduces oxalate levels, making it a potential treatment for kidney stones.