Vitamin A acid

Vitamin A acid, also known as retinoic acid, is a metabolite of Vitamin A that plays important roles in cell growth and differentiation, and in controlling the immune response. It is a potent teratogen that can cause birth defects if taken in large amounts during pregnancy.

Chemistry

Retinoic acid is a member of the retinoid family of compounds, which are derivatives of Vitamin A. It is a small, lipophilic molecule that can easily cross cell membranes and bind to intracellular receptors.

Biosynthesis

Retinoic acid is synthesized in the body from dietary Vitamin A (also known as retinol) through a two-step process. First, retinol is oxidized to retinaldehyde by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. Then, retinaldehyde is further oxidized to retinoic acid by the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Function

Retinoic acid acts as a hormone, controlling the expression of specific genes by binding to retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs), which are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. These receptors then bind to specific DNA sequences, called retinoic acid response elements (RAREs), in the promoter regions of target genes, leading to changes in gene expression.

Clinical Significance

Retinoic acid has been used in the treatment of acne and psoriasis, and is being investigated for its potential use in the treatment of cancer. However, it can cause serious side effects, including birth defects, if taken in large amounts.

See Also

• Vitamin A
• Retinoid
• Teratogen

References

Vitamin A acid Resources
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