Vitamin D3 upregulated protein 1 (VDUP1) is a regulator for redox signaling and stress-mediated diseases.

Vitamin D(3) upregulated protein 1 (VDUP1) is a 46-kDa multifunctional protein, initially isolated in HL-60 cells as a protein of which expression is upregulated by vitamin D(3) administration. Subsequently, it was identified independently by investigators from diverse scientific backgrounds as a thioredoxin binding protein that negatively regulates the expression and the activity of thioredoxin, and is thus involved in redox regulation. Further studies have revealed that VDUP1 plays multiple roles in a wide range of cellular processes such as proliferation or apoptosis. Recently, it has been reported that VDUP1 is also involved in the immune system via positive regulation of natural killer development. In addition, VDUP1 has been revealed to be associated with the fatty acid utilization. In the present review, we discuss the novel aspects of VDUP1 function as well as the historical background of VDUP1. Future studies will explore the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of modulating the function of VDUP1 in vivo.