Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 March 2007
1. Formation of retinyl esters catalyzed by acyl-CoA: retinol acyltransferase (ARAT; retinol fatty- acyltransferase; EC 2.3.1.76) from intestinal mucosa has been studied in vitro in the presence of all-trans-retinoic acid.
2. The incubation system contained microsomal preparations from the tissue tested, radioactive retinol and palmitoyl-CoA. The product formed was separated from the substrates by chromatography on alumina columns.
3. All-trans-retinoic acid inhibited ARAT both from rat and human intestinal mucosa.
4. Inhibition occurred instantly. At a concentration of retinol of 80, μM, a 50% inhibition was obtained with 50 μM- retinoic acid.
5. The inhibition of ARAT by retinoic acid may be of importance for normal retinol absorption in patients receiving retinoid therapy.