Abstract

Retinoic acid (RA) has complex and pleiotropic functions during vertebrate development. Recent work in several species has increased our understanding of the roles of RA as a signalling molecule. These functions rely on a tight control of RA distribution within embryonic tissues through the combined action of synthesizing and metabolizing enzymes, possibly leading to diffusion gradients. Also important is the switching of nuclear receptors from a transcriptionally repressing state to an activating state. In addition, cross-talk with other key embryonic signals, especially fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and sonic hedgehog (SHH), is being uncovered. Some of these functions could be maintained throughout the life of an organism to regulate cell-lineage decisions and/or the differentiation of stem cell populations, highlighting possibilities for regenerative medicine.

Author affiliations

1. Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
2. Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, UMR 7104 CNRS, U 596 INSERM, Université Louis Pasteur, BP 10142, Illkirch, F-67400 France.

Correspondence to: Karen Niederreither¹ Email: karenn@bcm.edu

Correspondence to: Pascal Dollé² Email: dolle@igbmc.fr

Published online 10 June 2008

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.