Amino acid insufficiency impairs hepatic vitamin A mobilization in mice.

ABSTRACT: Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is the sole specific serum carrier of vitamin A, delivering it from the hepatic stores to the peripheral organs in a complex with retinol (ROH) and transthyretin (TTR). Regulators of hepatic mobilization aside from vitamin A status itself are ill-defined. Here, we show that amino acid (AA) insufficiency by diet (low-protein, leucine-devoid diet) or drug (asparaginase, ASNase) elevated liver RBP4 without depleting hepatic retinoid stores. In addition, ASNase reduced liver TTR protein. Furthermore, circulating ROH-RBP4-TTR levels were attenuated, and retinoid levels in peripheral organs were perturbed. To understand the basis for elevated RBP4 in the liver, we isolated total and polysomal mRNA to assess gene-specific translation. ASNase significantly reduced

SUBMITTER: Bhavsar CT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12625856 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature