Retinoids: The Biochemical and Molecular Basis of Vitamin A and Retinoid Action / Edition 1

by Heinz Nau, William S. Blaner

Overview

In the future' the decade of the 1990s will likely be viewed as a Golden Age for retinoid research. There have been unprecedented research gains in the understanding of retinoid actions and physiology; since the retinoid nuclear receptors were first identified and the importance of retinoic acid in developmental processes was first broadly recognized in the late 1980s. Between then and now, our knowledge of retinoid action has evolved from one of a near complete lack of understanding of how retinoids act within cells to one of sophisticated understanding of the molecular processes through which retinoids modulate transcription. In this volume, we have tried to provide a comprehensive update of the present understanding of retinoid actions, with an emphasis on re­ cent advances. The initial chapters of the volume, or Section A, focus on the physicochemical properties and metabolism of naturally occurring retinoids: - N OY provides an uncommonly encountered view of retinoid effects from the perspective of the physiochemical properties of retinoids. - V AKIANI and BUCK lend a perspective on the biological occurrence and actions of retro- and anhydro-retinoids. Section B considers both the retinoid nuclear receptors and their mechanisms of action as well as synthetic retinoids that have been used exper­ imentally to provide mechanistic insights into receptor actions and have potential therapeutic use for treating disease: - PIEDRAFITA and PFAHL provide a comprehensive review of retinoid nuclear receptor biochemistry and molecular biology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783642636141
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	10/09/2012
Series:	Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology , #139
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1999
Pages:	619
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.05(d)

About the Author

Nau, Heinz (School of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany); Blaner, William S., PhD (Coll of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia Univ)

Table of Contents

Section A: Metabolism, Pharmocokinetics and Action of Retinoids.- 1 Physical-Chemical Properties and Action of Retinoids.- 2 Biosynthesis, Absorption, Metabolism and Transport of Retinoids.- 3 Retro-Retinoids: Metabolism and Action.- 4 Retinoic Acid Synthesis and Metabolism.- Section B: Binding Proteins and Nuclear Receptors.- 5 Nuclear Retinoid Receptors and Mechanisms of Action.- 6 RAR-Selective Ligands: Receptor Subtype and Function Selectivity.- 7 RXR-Speeific Agonists and Modulators: A New Retinoid Pharmacology.- Section C: Differentiation, Proliferation, and Cancer.- 8 Growth Control by Retinoids: Regulation of Cell Cycle Progression and Apoptosis.- 9 Retinoids and Differentiation of Normal and Malignant Hematopoietic Cells.- 10 The Retinoids: Cancer Therapy and Prevention Mechanisms.- 11 Aberrant Expression and Function of Retinoid Receptors in Cancer.- Section D: Development and Teratogenesis.- 12 Genetic and Molecular Approaches to Understanding the Role of Retinoids in Mammalian Spermatogenesis.- 13 The Role of Retinoids in Vertebrate Limb Morphogenesis: Integration of Retinoid- and Cytokine-Mediated Signal Transduction.- 14 Retinoids in Neural Development.- 15 Avian Embryo as Model for Retinoid Function in Early Development.- 16 Retinoid Receptors, Their Ligands, and Teratogenesis: Synergy and Specificity of Effects.- Section E: Skin.- 17 Vitamin A Homeostasis in Human Epidermis: Native Retinoid Composition and Metabolism.- 18 New Concepts for Delivery of Topical Retinoid Activity to Human Skin.- 19 Retinoid Receptor-Selective Agonists and Their Action in Skin.- Section F: Special Effects.- 20 Retinoids in Mammalian Vision.- 21 Retinoids and Immunity.

Editorial Reviews

4 Stars! from Doody

At one time, the role of carotenoids and their progeny (retinoids) was considered to be restricted to the visual apparatus. This volume represents an up-to-date view of the many roles of retinoids, including potential applications to treatment of malignant disease. The purpose is to provide an update in all major areas of retinoid research. This worthy goal has been met by the editors. The audience includes a broad spectrum of investigators. The 21 chapters, each authored by recognized experts, are logically organized. Included are discussions of the properties of the retinoids, uptake in a mammalian host, metabolism, mechanism of action, receptors, and function in a variety of circumstances including development and the immune system. Each chapter is accompanied by a detailed bibliography, a particularly useful addition. Given the broad biological functions of this class of effectors, this volume will be of value to many investigators and should find a place in the medical library as well. In addition, those wishing to familiarize themselves with recent developments in retinoid biology will find much of interest. The standard of coverage is uniformly high.

Eugene A. Davidson

Reviewer: Eugene A Davidson, PhD (Georgetown University School of Medicine)
Description: At one time, the role of carotenoids and their progeny (retinoids) was considered to be restricted to the visual apparatus. This volume represents an up-to-date view of the many roles of retinoids, including potential applications to treatment of malignant disease.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide an update in all major areas of retinoid research. This worthy goal has been met by the editors.
Audience: The audience includes a broad spectrum of investigators.
Features: The 21 chapters, each authored by recognized experts, are logically organized. Included are discussions of the properties of the retinoids, uptake in a mammalian host, metabolism, mechanism of action, receptors, and function in a variety of circumstances including development and the immune system. Each chapter is accompanied by a detailed bibliography, a particularly useful addition.
Assessment: Given the broad biological functions of this class of effectors, this volume will be of value to many investigators and should find a place in the medical library as well. In addition, those wishing to familiarize themselves with recent developments in retinoid biology will find much of interest. The standard of coverage is uniformly high.

Doody's Review Service