Vitamin pathways

The term "Vitamin pathways" refers collectively to the biochemical processes responsible for the absorption, transport, conversion, utilization, and regulation of vitamins in living organisms. These pathways involve a wide variety of enzymes, transporters, and receptor molecules, each specific to the chemical nature of the vitamin class (water-soluble vs. fat-soluble). Vitamins are typically converted into active coenzyme forms within cells, facilitating essential physiological functions such as energy production (B vitamins), redox balance (vitamins C and E), and calcium homeostasis and gene regulation (vitamin D receptor). Dysfunction or modulation of vitamin pathways can have significant implications for human health, affecting cellular metabolism, immunity, growth, and disease development. "Vitamin pathways" as a target is neither specific nor actionable for therapeutic or drug discovery purposes; interventions are instead directed at individual enzymes, receptors, or transporters within these pathways.

Other names

Vitamin metabolismVitamin biosynthesis and processingVitamin catabolic pathwaysVitamin uptake/transport systems

Mechanisms are diverse, depending on the vitamin and component: Serving as cofactors for enzymes to facilitate biochemical reactions; Acting as ligands for vitamin-responsive nuclear receptors (e.g., Vitamin D receptor modulates transcription); Regulating absorption via membrane transporters; Modulating antioxidant capacity.