Membrane receptors and transporters involved in the function and transport of vitamin A and its derivatives

摘要: The eye is the human organ most sensitive to vitamin A deficiency because of vision's absolute and heavy dependence on for light perception. Studies molecular basis vision have provided important insights into intricate mechanistic details function, transport recycling its derivatives (retinoid). This review focuses retinoid-related membrane receptors transporters. Three kinds mammalian transporters are discussed: opsins, best known as A-based sensors in vision; ABCA4, an ATP-dependent transporter specializes derivative; STRA6, a recently identified receptor that mediates cellular uptake A. evolutionary driving forces their existence wide spectrum diseases associated with these proteins discussed. Lessons learned from study visual system might be useful understanding retinoid biology other systems well. article part Special Issue entitled Retinoid Lipid Metabolism.