Intracellular Storage and Metabolic Activation of Retinoids

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

6-12-2015

Abstract

This chapter discusses newly detected retinoid metabolic processes in lipid droplets (LDs) and presents models of potential retinoid metabolons in LDs, which remain to be tested. LDs can serve as one intracellular site of activating retinol into the autacoid (locally-acting molecule, or “local hormone”) retinoic acid (RA). The possible function of multilocular LDs as autacoid-generating structures likely contributes to their impact on metabolism beyond fuel homeostasis. Errors of LD-mediated metabolism cause or contribute to various diseases, such as alcoholic liver disease, inflammation, cancer, diabetes, lipid storage myopathy, and atherogenesis. Association of retinoid homeostasis with LD logically provokes interest into the relationship between RA biosynthesis by LDs, LD functional impairment, and the onset or exacerbation of these diseases. LDs serve as a major (but not sole) site for controlling retinoid homeostasis (not just RE storage), and perhaps RA biosynthesis.

Department

Chemistry and Geology

ISBN

9781118627983

Publication Title

The Retinoids: Biology, Biochemistry, and Disease

DOI

10.1002/9781118628003.ch3

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