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Between death and survival: retinoic acid in regulation of apoptosis

Noa Noy1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-4965, USA. noa.noy@case.edu

Annual Review of Nutrition
|April 27, 2010
PubMed

Insights

All-trans-retinoic acid (RA), a vitamin A metabolite, plays a dual role in cell apoptosis. This review explores how RA can induce or inhibit cell death, impacting cancer treatment and cell survival.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • All-trans-retinoic acid (RA) is a vital vitamin A metabolite regulating gene expression.
  • RA is crucial for embryonic development, adult tissue homeostasis, and has shown promise in cancer therapy.
  • RA's effects on cell proliferation are context-dependent, sometimes inhibiting growth and other times promoting it.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted role of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) in regulating apoptotic responses.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which RA influences programmed cell death and cell survival.
  • To provide an overview of RA's transcriptional signaling and apoptotic pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on RA's effects on apoptosis.
  • Analysis of transcriptional signaling pathways regulated by RA.
  • Examination of canonical and non-canonical apoptotic pathways influenced by RA.

Main Results:

  • RA can induce apoptosis through mechanisms like differentiation and cell cycle arrest.
  • Conversely, RA may inhibit apoptosis and enhance cell survival in certain cellular contexts.
  • The dual role of RA in apoptosis is dependent on specific cellular environments and signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

  • All-trans-retinoic acid (RA) exhibits a complex, context-dependent influence on apoptosis.
  • Understanding RA's dual role is critical for optimizing its therapeutic applications, particularly in oncology.
  • Further research into RA-mediated signaling is needed to fully harness its potential in controlling cell fate.

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