Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro
08:04

Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro

Published on: March 18, 2014

Vitamin A effects on UMR 106 osteosarcoma cells are not mediated by specific cytosolic receptors

R O Oreffo, J A Francis, J T Triffitt

    The Biochemical Journal
    |December 1, 1985
    PubMed

    Insights

    Retinol and retinoic acid inhibit osteosarcoma cell growth and alter cell shape. Researchers could not detect specific binding proteins for retinol in the cell cytoplasm.

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Cell Biology
    • Oncology

    Background:

    • Retinoids, including retinol and retinoic acid, are crucial for cellular functions.
    • Osteosarcoma is a primary bone cancer with significant morbidity.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on UMR 106 osteosarcoma cells.
    • To determine the presence of specific cytosolic binding proteins for retinol in these cells.

    Main Methods:

    • UMR 106 osteosarcoma cells were cultured in vitro.
    • Cells were treated with 20 microM concentrations of retinol and retinoic acid.
    • Cell morphology and proliferation were assessed.
    • Cytosolic fractions were analyzed for retinol-binding proteins.

    Main Results:

    • Both retinol and retinoic acid significantly altered the morphology of UMR 106 cells.
    • Cell proliferation was inhibited by these retinoids.
    • No specific cytosolic binding proteins for retinol were detected in the UMR 106 cells.

    Conclusions:

    • Retinol and retinoic acid exhibit anti-proliferative and morphologically altering effects on osteosarcoma cells.
    • The mechanism of action may not involve specific cytosolic retinol-binding proteins in this cell line.

    More Related Videos

    Methods for Analyzing the Impacts of Natural Uranium on In Vitro Osteoclastogenesis09:51

    Methods for Analyzing the Impacts of Natural Uranium on In Vitro Osteoclastogenesis

    Published on: January 30, 2018

    Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells06:47

    Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells

    Published on: May 4, 2018

    Related Concept Videos

    Abnormal Proliferation02:23

    Abnormal Proliferation

    Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
    Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer01:03

    Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer

    Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
    RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand  RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
    The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

    The Retinoblastoma Gene

    Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
    The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
    Receptor Downregulation in MVBs01:15

    Receptor Downregulation in MVBs

    Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
    The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that  lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR  stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive  EGFR activation may...
    TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

    TGF - β Signaling Pathway

    The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
    Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

    Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

    The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
    Vitamin A
    Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
    Vitamin B12
    Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...