Figure 6.

Skin phenotype, VDR, VDR protein partners, and signaling pathways. The unliganded VDR is part of a multiprotein complex with its heterodimerization partner RXR and the corepressor Hairless (Hr). Each and all together are needed for long-term functional survival of skin stem cells. Moreover they are all three needed for orientation of the stem cells toward a functional hair follicle. VDR physically interacts with wnt target genes, β-catenin, and Lef-1. Both VDR and Hr promote wnt signaling to maintain normal hair cycling.