title: [Retinoids--their metabolites, action, and role in heart development].
abstract: Retinoids constitute a group of active compounds known as vitamin A. Apart from an unquestionable function in adults, retinoids also play a profound role in many events during embryonic development for instancje in axial patterning and organogenesis. Retinoic acid is the most active biological form of vitamin A. Its signaling both in adults and during embryonic development occurs at different levels through interaction with specific proteins and nuclear receptors. Retinoic acid signaling in heart development occurs mostly via interaction with secondary heart field cells by restricting their spatial expansion and controlling proper addition of these cells to the cardiac tube. This signal requires precise level of local retinoic acid, excess or insufficiency of which causes various malformations of the embryo and embryonic heart. Although retinoid signaling in the developing heart is a highly significant developmental factor, it is not yet fully understood. The following review summarises recent developments regarding this subject.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathological Anatomy, Medical University of Warsaw, Center of Biostructure, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stachurska
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ratajska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006321:Heart / Q000196:embryology*; D006801:Humans; D012176:Retinoids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D012176:Retinoids