Retinol-binding protein
Retinol-binding protein
Retinol-binding protein (pronunciation: /rɛˈtɪnɒl ˈbaɪndɪŋ ˈproʊtiːn/) is a specific protein that binds to retinol, a form of vitamin A, and transports it in the blood.
Etymology
The term "retinol-binding protein" is derived from the words "retinol", which refers to a form of vitamin A, and "binding protein", which is a general term for proteins that bind to specific molecules.
Function
Retinol-binding protein plays a crucial role in the transportation of retinol from the liver to peripheral tissues. In the liver, retinol is stored as retinyl esters. When needed, these esters are hydrolyzed and the released retinol is bound to retinol-binding protein for transport in the blood.
Related Terms
- Retinol: A form of vitamin A that is essential for vision, growth, and various cellular functions.
- Protein: Large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body.
- Liver: A large organ in the body that stores and metabolizes nutrients, detoxifies harmful substances, and produces bile.
- Vitamin A: A group of unsaturated nutritional organic compounds that includes retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and several provitamin A carotenoids.
See Also
- Retinoid: A class of chemical compounds that are vitamers of vitamin A or are chemically related to it.
- Vitamin A deficiency: A lack of vitamin A in the diet that can lead to xerophthalmia and night blindness.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Retinol-binding protein
- Wikipedia's article - Retinol-binding protein
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