Role of Retinoic Acid as a Functional Hormone in Crustaceans
K. Venkaiah
Department of Biotechnology, V.S. University, Nellore-524324, AP, India.
P. Gnana Prakasam
Department of Biotechnology, V.S. University, Nellore-524324, AP, India.
P. Ramachandra Reddy
Department of Biochemistry, Y.V. University, Kadapa, AP, India.
M. Hanuma Reddy
Department of Marine Biology, V.S. University, Nellore-524324, AP, India.
Ch. Venkatrayulu
Department of Marine Biology, V.S. University, Nellore-524324, AP, India.
S.B. Sainath *
Department of Biotechnology, V.S. University, Nellore-524324, AP, India and Department of Food Technology, V.S. University, Nellore-524324, AP, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The synthesis, metabolism, physiological, and patho-physiological functions of vitamin A and its active metabolite retinoic acid are well studied in vertebrates. In parallel, there is an increasing recognition of vitamin A and retinoic acid in invertebrates and especially in crustaceans. The discovery of vitamin A and different vitamin A metabolites including 9 cis-retinoic acid and all-trans retinoic acid is now well documented in crustaceans. Most notably some functional attributes of vitamin A and retinoic acid in the biological framework of crustaceans have been demonstrated. This review aims at giving a comprehensive overview of the retinoid system and the role of retinoids in the regulation of physiological events in crustaceans. To accomplish this task, this review deals with three aspects. The first aspect deals with the discovery of retinoids and its metabolic repertoire in crustaceans and to gain insights into crustacean retinoid system, vertebrate retinoid system was used as background. Second aspect details about the regulatory effects of retinoic acid in the regulation of glucose homeostasis, reproduction, lipid metabolism and limb regeneration. The third aspect deals with genomic and non-genomic mechanisms that underlie retinoic acid mediated regulation of crustacean physiological events. Finally, perspectives on current and possible research are offered.
Keywords: Crustaceans, hyperglycemia, lipid metabolism, reproduction, retinoic acid and vitamin A