Retinoic acid (RA) is a vitamin A-derived, non-peptidic, small lipophilic molecule that acts as
ligand for nuclear RA receptors (RARs), converting them from transcriptional repressors to …

For almost a century, vitamin A has been known as a nutrient critical for normal
development, differentiation, and homeostasis; accordingly, there has been much interest in …

Sertoli cells are somatic cells present in seminiferous tubules which have essential roles in
regulating spermatogenesis. Considering that each Sertoli cell is able to support a limited …

Retinoic acid (RA), the major bioactive metabolite of retinol or vitamin A, induces a spectrum
of pleiotropic effects in cell growth and differentiation that are relevant for embryonic …

Estrogen receptor and its ligand, estradiol, have long been thought to be essential for
survival, fertility, and female sexual differentiation and development. Consistent with this …

The molecular control of self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells has remained
enigmatic. Transgenic loss-of-function and overexpression models now show that the …

The growth and differentiation factor transforming growth factor-β2 (TGFβ2) is thought to play
important roles in multiple developmental processes. Targeted disruption of the TGF β2 …

Studies in adrenocortical cells have implicated the orphan nuclear receptor SF-1 in the gene
regulation of the steroid hydroxylases. We used targeted disruption of the Ftz-f1 gene, which …

In multicellular organisms, the ability to regulate reproduction, development, and nutrient
utilization coincided with the evolution of nuclear receptors (NRs), transcription factors that …

Living things are unimaginably complex, yet they have withstood a withering assault of
harmful influences over several billion years. These influences include cataclysmic changes …