The nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) mediates the actions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (1,25D) to regulate gene transcription. Recently, the secondary bile acid, lithocholate, was recognized as a novel VDR ligand. Using reporter gene and mammalian two-hybrid systems, immunoblotting, competitive ligand displacement, and quantitative real time PCR, we identified curcumin (CM), a turmeric-derived bioactive polyphenol, as a likely additional novel ligand for VDR. CM (10 −5 M) activated transcription of a luciferase plasmid containing the distal vitamin D responsive element from the human CYP3A4 gene at levels comparable to 1,25D (10 −8 M) in transfected human colon cancer cells (Caco-2). While CM also activated transcription via a retinoid X receptor (RXR) responsive element, activation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) by CM was negligible. Competition binding assays with radiolabeled 1,25D confirmed that CM binds directly to VDR. In mammalian two hybrid assays employing transfected Caco-2 cells, CM (10 −5 M) increased the ability of VDR to recruit its heterodimeric partner, RXR, and steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1). Real time PCR studies revealed that CM-bound VDR can activate VDR target genes CYP3A4, CYP24, p21, and TRPV6 in Caco-2 cells. Numerous studies have shown chemoprotection by CM against intestinal cancers via a variety of mechanisms. Small intestine and colon are important VDRexpressing tissues where 1,25D has known anticancer properties that may, in part, be elicited by activation of CYP-mediated xenobiotic detoxification and/or up-regulation of the tumor suppressor p21. Our results suggest the novel hypothesis that nutritionally-derived CM facilitates chemoprevention via direct binding to, and activation of, VDR.