title: Towards a better understanding of carotenoid metabolism in animals.
abstract: Vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) are essential components in vision; they contribute to pattern formation during development and exert multiple effects on cell differentiation with important clinical implications. All naturally occurring vitamin A derives by enzymatic oxidative cleavage from carotenoids with pro-vitamin A activity. To become biologically active, these plant-derived compounds must first be absorbed, then delivered to the site of action in the body, and metabolically converted to the real vitamin. Recently, molecular players of this pathway were identified by the analysis of blind Drosophila mutants. Similar genome sequences were found in vertebrates. Subsequently, these homologous genes were cloned and their gene products were functionally characterized. This review will summarize the advanced state of knowledge about the vitamin A biosynthetic pathway and will discuss biochemical, physiological, developmental and medical aspects of carotenoids and their numerous derivatives.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology I, Dept. of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany. johannes.von.lintig@biologie.uni-freiburg.de
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: von Lintig
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hessel
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Isken
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kiefer
authors.forename: Johanna M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lampert
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Voolstra
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vogt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D049308:Dioxygenases; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D010105:Oxygenases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000378:metabolism; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D050559:beta-Carotene 15,15'-Monooxygenase; D019745:cis-trans-Isomerases; D000099178:Retinoid Isomerohydrolase
chemical_list: D002338:Carotenoids; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D049308:Dioxygenases; D005136:Eye Proteins; D010105:Oxygenases; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger; D014212:Tretinoin; D014801:Vitamin A; D050559:beta-Carotene 15,15'-Monooxygenase; D019745:cis-trans-Isomerases; D000099178:Retinoid Isomerohydrolase; C481678:Bco2 protein, mouse; C493358:BCO1 protein, human