Biomaterial Database

Identification of a membrane receptor for retinol-binding protein functioning in the cellular uptake of retinol. 2007

George Wolf

Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA. nutritionreviews@ilsi.org

Retinol-binding protein (RBP) is the transport protein that carries retinol in the circulation from the liver to its target tissues. The existence of a cell-surface receptor on the target cells, which mediates the uptake of retinol from RBP, has been known since 1975. Recently, it was identified as an integral transmembrane protein named STRA6 that is inducible by retinoic acid in certain cancer cells. The receptor was found to be highly specific for RBP, with high affinity, and to be localized in all tissues known to require retinol for their function, particularly the pigment epithelium of the eye.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002462	Cell Membrane	The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.	Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012177	Retinol-Binding Proteins	Proteins which bind with RETINOL. The retinol-binding protein found in plasma has an alpha-1 mobility on electrophoresis and a molecular weight of about 21 kDa. The retinol-protein complex (MW	Retinoid Binding Protein,Retinol Binding Protein,Retinoid Binding Protein, F-Type,Retinoid Binding Proteins,Retinol Binding Proteins,Binding Protein, Retinoid,Binding Protein, Retinol,Binding Proteins, Retinoid,Binding Proteins, Retinol,Protein, Retinoid Binding,Protein, Retinol Binding,Retinoid Binding Protein, F Type
D014801	Vitamin A	Retinol and derivatives of retinol that play an essential role in metabolic functioning of the retina, the growth of and differentiation of epithelial tissue, the growth of bone, reproduction, and the immune response. Dietary vitamin A is derived from a variety of CAROTENOIDS found in plants. It is enriched in the liver, egg yolks, and the fat component of dairy products.	Retinol,11-cis-Retinol,3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-ol, (all-E)-Isomer,All-Trans-Retinol,Aquasol A,Vitamin A1,All Trans Retinol
D014815	Vitamins	Organic substances that are required in small amounts for maintenance and growth, but which cannot be manufactured by the human body.	Vitamin
D018168	Receptors, Retinoic Acid	Proteins in the nucleus or cytoplasm that specifically bind RETINOIC ACID or RETINOL and trigger changes in the behavior of cells. Retinoic acid receptors, like steroid receptors, are ligand-activated transcription regulators. Several types have been recognized.	Retinoic Acid Receptors,Retinoic Acid-Binding Proteins,Retinoic Acid Receptor,Proteins, Retinoic Acid-Binding,Receptor, Retinoic Acid,Retinoic Acid Binding Proteins