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Enzymology and biogenesis of retinoic acid

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Vitamin A and Retinoids: An Update of Biological Aspects and Clinical Applications

Part of the book series: MCBU Molecular and Cell Biology Updates ((MCBU))

Abstract

Use of retinoid binding proteins as substrates for identifying enzymes of retinoid metabolism has revealed compelling new candidates (e.g. lecitin:retinol acyltransferase [LRAT], intestinal microsomal retinal reductase, retinol dehydrogenase [RDH]), and has redirected attention away from historical candidates (intestinal cytosolic retinal reductase, alcohol dehydrogenase [ADH]), which, at any rate, had not been well characterized with respect to retinoid metabolism. The use by specific enzymes of retinol complexed with cellular retinol binding protein (CRBP) provides potential insight into the mechanisms of intracellular retinol access and of imposing specificity on retinoid metabolism. These data also suggest why relatively rapid depletion of retinol does not occur in vivo via enzymes generally associated with xenobiotic metabolism, such as myriad cytochrome P-450 s and ADHs, despite their activities with “free” retinol in vitro.

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  1. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA

    J. L. Napoli

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  1. J. L. Napoli
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  1. Cattedra di Chimica Biologica, Istituto di Farmacologia e Farmacognosia, Università di Palermo, Via Forlanini 1, Palermo, I-90134, Italy

    Maria A. Livrea

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Napoli, J.L. (2000). Enzymology and biogenesis of retinoic acid. In: Livrea, M.A. (eds) Vitamin A and Retinoids: An Update of Biological Aspects and Clinical Applications. MCBU Molecular and Cell Biology Updates. Birkhäuser, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8454-9_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8454-9_2

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser, Basel

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-0348-9574-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-0348-8454-9

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