1. The aldehyde (retinal) has long been known to be involved in photoreception, but retinoic acid has other roles.
There are cytoplasmic retinoic acid binding proteins and retinoic acid response elements that regulate gene transcription. Retinoic acid is thought to be a morphogen in chick limb bud development and in early development of the chick that probably accounts for its potent teratogenic action.
Synonym: vitamin A.
(03 Jul 1999)
Retinoic Acid Pictures
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