Molecular Recognition in Vitamin D-Binding Protein

Abstract

Vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) or group-specific component (Gc) is a relatively abundant serum protein with multiple functions, the majority of which are initiated by the highly specific recognition and binding of a ligand by this protein. During the past decade and a half, several structure-functional studies have been carried out to shed light on the physiological significance of the multiple functions of DBP. Results of these studies are discussed.