Tag: Nuclear receptors

Over 500 genes in the human body are regulated by the active metabolite of vitamin A, all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). Understanding what is the signaling pathway of vitamin A reveals how this essential nutrient orchestrates fundamental biological processes such as development, vision, and immune function at the molecular level.

Over 500 genes are known to be regulated by the active metabolite of vitamin A, retinoic acid, which acts as a powerful signaling molecule in vertebrates. Far from simply impacting vision, this essential micronutrient controls complex programs of gene expression governing cell differentiation, immune function, and embryonic development.

While vitamin A itself is not a traditional enzyme cofactor, its metabolites perform critical cofactor-like roles, influencing biological processes from vision to gene expression. This dynamic action helps explain the widespread impact of what is vitamin A a cofactor for and its significance in human health.