Retinoid

Retinoids are compounds related to vitamin A that regulate gene expression, cell growth, and differentiation. They include natural molecules and synthetic drugs.

Retinoic acid: A vitamin A metabolite that binds nuclear receptors and regulates gene transcription. It is the principal signaling form through which many retinoids influence cell differentiation.
Tretinoin: A pharmaceutical form of all-trans-retinoic acid used topically for acne and photoaging and systemically for certain leukemias. It exemplifies how one retinoid can serve both dermatologic and cancer therapies.
Vitamin A: A group of fat-soluble nutrients required for vision, immune function, reproduction, and development. Retinoids belong to the broader family of vitamin A forms and derivatives.
Embryonic development: The process through which an embryo forms and develops specialized tissues and organs. Precisely controlled retinoic acid signals guide patterning and organ formation.
Retinoid X receptor: A nuclear receptor that binds 9-cis-retinoic acid and forms regulatory partnerships with other receptors. RXR partnerships help translate retinoid signals into changes in gene expression.
Isotretinoin: A systemic retinoid medication used chiefly for severe acne. Its strong effects on sebaceous glands make it a major treatment for severe acne.
Retinol: The alcohol form of vitamin A that circulates and can be converted into retinaldehyde or retinyl esters. Retinol is a central precursor from which signaling retinoids are made.
Teratogen: An agent that can disrupt embryonic or fetal development and cause congenital abnormalities. Excess retinoid exposure during pregnancy can cause severe developmental abnormalities.
Retinoic acid receptor: A nuclear receptor activated by all-trans-retinoic acid that regulates transcription with RXR. RAR is the direct receptor for the major active retinoic acid signal.
Acitretin: An oral retinoid used to treat severe psoriasis and other disorders of keratinization. It shows retinoid treatment extending beyond acne to abnormal skin-cell differentiation.

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