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Updated: May 23, 2026

Analysis of Retinoic Acid-induced Neural Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells in Two and Three-dimensional Embryoid Bodies
Published on: April 22, 2017
Retinoic acid synthesis and functions in early embryonic development
Richard Kin Ting Kam1, Yi Deng, Yonglong Chen
1School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, P, R, China. chen_yonglong@gibh.ac.cn.
Retinoic acid (RA), derived from vitamin A, is crucial for embryonic development. This review details RA metabolism and its signaling pathway
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Retinoic acid (RA) is a vital morphogen derived from retinol (vitamin A).
- RA regulates critical cellular processes including growth, differentiation, and organogenesis.
- Understanding RA's role is key to comprehending early embryonic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the metabolism of retinoic acid.
- To elucidate the components of the retinoic acid signaling pathway.
- To highlight the functions of RA in early embryonic development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of retinoic acid metabolism.
- Analysis of retinoic acid signaling pathway components.
- Synthesis of current research on RA functions in embryogenesis.
Main Results:
- Retinol is sequentially oxidized to retinal and then to retinoic acid via dehydrogenases.
- Retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and Retinoic acid X receptors (RXRs) mediate RA's effects.
- RA signaling is essential for regulating gene expression during embryonic development.
Conclusions:
- The metabolism and signaling of retinoic acid are complex and tightly regulated.
- RA plays indispensable roles throughout early embryonic development.
- Further research into RA pathways can illuminate developmental processes.
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09:49Quantitative Measurement of Relative Retinoic Acid Levels in E8.5 Embryos and Neurosphere Cultures Using the F9 RARE-Lacz Cell-based Reporter Assay
Published on: September 6, 2016
09:07Prediction and Validation of Gene Regulatory Elements Activated During Retinoic Acid Induced Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation
Published on: June 21, 2016
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