Transport and storage of vitamin A

Science. 1990 Oct 19;250(4979):399-404. doi: 10.1126/science.2218545.

Abstract

The requirement of vitamin A (retinoids) for vision has been recognized for decades. In addition, vitamin A is involved in fetal development and in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of cells throughout life. This fat-soluble organic compound cannot be synthesized endogenously by humans and thus is an essential nutrient; a well-regulated transport and storage system provides tissues with the correct amounts of retinoids in spite of normal fluctuations in daily vitamin A intake. An overview is presented here of current knowledge and hypotheses about the absorption, transport, storage, and metabolism of vitamin A. Some information is also presented about a group of ligand-dependent transcription factors, the retinoic acid receptors, that apparently mediate many of the extravisual effects of retinoids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport
  • Chylomicrons / metabolism
  • Intestinal Absorption
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Tretinoin / metabolism
  • Vitamin A / metabolism*

Substances

  • Chylomicrons
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins
  • Vitamin A
  • Tretinoin