Nutrigenomic regulation of adipose tissue development — role of retinoic acid: A review. (October 2016) - Wang, Bo
Abstract: To improve the efficiency of animal production, livestock have been extensively selected or managed to reduce fat accumulation and increase lean growth, which reduces intramuscular or marbling fat content. To enhance marbling, a better understanding of the mechanisms regulating adipogenesis is needed. Vitamin A has recently been shown to have a profound impact on all stages of adipogenesis. Retinoic acid, an active metabolite of vitamin A, activates both retinoic acid receptors (RAR) and retinoid X receptors (RXR), inducing epigenetic changes in key regulatory genes governing adipogenesis. Additionally, Vitamin D and folates interact with the retinoic acid receptors to regulate adipogenesis. In this review, we discuss nutritional regulation of adipogenesis, focusing on retinoic acid and its impact on epigenetic modifications of key adipogenic genes. Highlights: Nutrigenomics is a new direction in adipogenic research. Retinoic acid enhances adipogenic commitment through altering epigenetic modifications in the promoters of key adipogenic genes. Retinoic acid alters the partnership of retinoid X receptors with other nuclear receptors to regulate adipogenesis. Methyl donors inhibit adipogenesis through promoting histone and DNA methylation.