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Key Documents

R7632

Sigma-Aldrich

Retinol

synthetic, ≥95% (HPLC), (Powder or Powder with Lumps)

Synonym(s):

Axerophthol, Vitamin A, Vitamin A alcohol, Vitamin A1, all-trans-3,7-Dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-ol

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About This Item

Empirical Formula (Hill Notation):
C20H30O
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
286.45
Beilstein:
403040
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12352205
eCl@ss:
34058018
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.79

biological source

synthetic

Quality Level

Assay

≥95% (HPLC)

form

(Powder or Powder with Lumps)

specific activity

~2700 U/mg

technique(s)

HPLC: suitable

color

yellow to very dark yellow, to Very Dark Orange

mp

61-63 °C (lit.)

shipped in

dry ice

storage temp.

−20°C

SMILES string

CC1(C)C(/C=C/C(C)=C/C=C/C(C)=C/CO)=C(C)CCC1

InChI

1S/C20H30O/c1-16(8-6-9-17(2)13-15-21)11-12-19-18(3)10-7-14-20(19,4)5/h6,8-9,11-13,21H,7,10,14-15H2,1-5H3/b9-6+,12-11+,16-8+,17-13+

InChI key

FPIPGXGPPPQFEQ-OVSJKPMPSA-N

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General description

Retinol or vitamin A alcohol is the main circulating form of vitamin A. It is not biologically active. Retinol or all-trans-retinol is a 20-carbon molecule with cyclohexenyl ring, a side chain with four double bonds (in trans configuration), and an alcohol end group.

Application

Retinol has been used:
  • for the synthesis of all-trans-retinoic acid in HepG2 cells
  • to study the effect of retinol on the growth of murine normal colonic cells cultured as organoids
  • as a standard for determination of vitamin A in cells
  • as a component of chemically defined medium for testis organ culture and spermatogenesis in vitro.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Retinol and its derivatives exhibit anti-aging properties. In addition, it also acts as an anti-wrinkle agent. However, due to its photoinstability and skin irritation potency, it is not widely used in cosmetic formulations. Retinol is used in the treatment of dermatoses including photoaging. Its deficiency is associated with the development of xerosis and follicular hyperkeratosis.
Retinol works as a precursor of active retinoids. It is converted to retinaldehyde and subsequently to retinoic acid. All-trans and 9-cis-retinoic acid are the ligands for nuclear receptors, retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs). These receptors are transcriptional regulators of various genes.

Packaging

Bottomless glass bottle. Contents are inside inserted fused cone.
Light protecting glass vial.

Pictograms

Health hazardExclamation mark

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Statements

Hazard Classifications

Aquatic Chronic 4 - Eye Irrit. 2 - Repr. 1B - Skin Sens. 1

Storage Class Code

6.1C - Combustible acute toxic Cat.3 / toxic compounds or compounds which causing chronic effects

WGK

WGK 1

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

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Kristin M Obrochta et al.
The Journal of biological chemistry, 290(11), 7259-7268 (2015-01-30)
All-trans-retinoic acid (atRA), an autacoid derived from retinol (vitamin A), regulates energy balance and reduces adiposity. We show that energy status regulates atRA biosynthesis at the rate-limiting step, catalyzed by retinol dehydrogenases (RDH). Six h after re-feeding, Rdh1 expression decreased
In vitro mouse spermatogenesis with an organ culture method in chemically defined medium.
Sanjo H, et al.
PLoS ONE, 13 (2018)
Retinol Promotes In Vitro Growth of Proximal Colon Organoids through a Retinoic Acid-Independent Mechanism.
Matsumoto T et al.
PLoS ONE, 11, e0162049-e0162049 (2016)
Insulin regulates retinol dehydrogenase expression and all-trans-retinoic acid biosynthesis through FoxO1.
Obrochta KM et al.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 290, 7259-7259 (2015)
Understanding the physiological role of retinol-binding protein in vitamin A metabolism using transgenic and knockout mouse models.
Quadro L et al.
Molecular Aspects of Medicine, 24, 421-421 (2003)

Articles

All-trans retinoic acid (RA, ATRA) is a pleiotropic activation factor that regulates genes associated with normal vertebrate cellular processes such as cell differentiation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and embryonic development.

Protocols

Separation of δ-Tocopherol, analytical standard; Retinyl acetate; (+)-γ-Tocopherol; α-Tocopherol, ≥95.5%; Retinol; Vitamin A (acetate), meets USP testing specifications.

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