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Description: Retinol and derivatives of retinol that play an essential role in metabolic functioning of the retina, the growth of and differentiation of epithelial tissue, the growth of bone, reproduction, and the immune response. Dietary vitamin A is derived from a variety of carotenoids found in plants. It is enriched in the liver, egg yolks, and the fat component of dairy products. [PubChem]
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Nutraceutical; Approved
Pharmacology: Vitamin A is effective for the treatment of Vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A refers to a group of fat-soluble substances that are structurally related to and possess the biological activity of the parent substance of the group called all-trans retinol or retinol. Vitamin A plays vital roles in vision, epithelial differentiation, growth, reproduction, pattern formation during embryogenesis, bone development, hematopoiesis and brain development. It is also important for the maintenance of the proper functioning of the immune system.
Mechanism of Action: Vision:Vitamin A (all-trans retinol) is converted in the retina to the 11-cis-isomer of retinaldehyde or 11-cis-retinal. 11-cis-retinal functions in the retina in the transduction of light into the neural signals necessary for vision. 11-cis-retinal, while attached to opsin in rhodopsin is isomerized to all-trans-retinal by light. This is the event that triggers the nerve impulse to the brain which allows for the perception of light. All-trans-retinal is then released from opsin and reduced to all-trans-retinol. All-trans-retinol is isomerized to 11-cis-retinol in the dark, and then oxidized to 11-cis-retinal. 11-cis-retinal recombines with opsin to re-form rhodopsin. Night blindness or defective vision at low illumination results from a failure to re-synthesize 11-cis retinal rapidly.
Epithelial differentiation: The role of Vitamin A in epithelial differentiation, as well as in other physiological processes, involves the binding of Vitamin A to two families of nuclear retinoid receptors (retinoic acid receptors, RARs; and retinoid-X receptors, RXRs). These receptors function as ligand-activated transcription factors that modulate gene transcription. When there is not enough Vitamin A to bind these receptors, natural cell differentiation and growth are interrupted.
Indication: For the treatment of vitamin A deficiency.
Half Life: 1.9 hours
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Data Correlations | 31 studies

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Genes category icon Genes
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ALDH1A1 100 100
RBP4 100 100
RBP5 100 100
RBP2 100 100
RBP7 100 100
RDH12 100 100
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Biogroups category icon Biogroups
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ACE Inhibitor Pathway 100 100
ACE2 Pathway 99 99
Renin Angiotensin System 97 97
Calycin 97 97
Linoleic Acid Metabolism 97 97
Calycin-like 96 96
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Individual Studies

  • Drug-Induced Renal Tubular Toxicity

    Rattus norvegicus Rattus norvegicus | RNA Expression   RNA Expression

    These data support the publication titled "A Gene Expression Signature that Predicts the Future Onset of Drug-Induced Renal Tubular Toxicity"

    Authors: Fielden MR, Eynon BP, Natsoulis G et al.

    Organization: Iconix Pharmaceuticals 325 E Middlefield…

  • Retinoic acid effect on sebocytes and the skin

    Homo sapiens Homo sapiens | RNA Expression   RNA Expression

    This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series:

    Authors: Nelson AM, Zhao W, Gilliland KL et al.

    Organization: The Pennsylvannia State University Colle…
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Associated Researchers

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Thought leaders and organizations working on research involving vitamin a.

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  • Cathy L Mendelsohn
  • Angela Wai-Man See
  • Margaret Clagett-Dame
  • Gregg Duester
  • Fengwei Wang
View All Clinical trial sponsors icon Clinical Trials Sponsors
  • Bandim Health Project
  • Tufts University
  • Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
  • National Eye Institute (NEI)
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
View All Affiliations icon Organizations
  • Columbia University
  • University of Oslo
  • University of Wisconsin - Madison
  • University of Lausanne
  • Pennsylvania State University

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