Description_x000D_ Application_x000D_ • Retinoic acid (RA) has been used for the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into motor neurons._x000D_ • It has been used for the differentiation of Xenopus ectoderm into pancreas._x000D_ • It has also been used to study epigenetic regulation by RARα (retinoic acid receptor α)._x000D_ • It has been used to study RA signaling of prospermatogonia transition into spermatogonia._x000D_ Packaging_x000D_ 1, 5 g in ampule_x000D_ 50, 100, 500 mg in ampule_x000D_ Biochem/physiol Actions_x000D_ all−trans−Retinoic acid (ATRA) is a ligand for both the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and the retinoid X receptor (RXR). The bound RAR and RXR act as transcription factors that regulate the growth and differentiation of both normal and malignant cells. Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) catalyze the 4-hydroxylation of ATRA. Retinoic acid primes embryonic stem cells to become neurons._x000D_ Features and Benefits_x000D_ This compound is also offered as part of Sigma′s Library of Pharmacologically Active Compounds (LOPAC®1280), a biologically annotated collection of high-quality, ready-to-screen compounds. Click here to learn more._x000D_ This compound is featured on the Nuclear Receptors (Non-Steroids) page of the Handbook of Receptor Classification and Signal Transduction. To browse other handbook pages, click here._x000D_ Other Notes_x000D_ Tandem Mass Spectrometry data independently generated by Scripps Center for Metabolomics is available to view or download in PDF. R2625.pdf Tested metabolites are featured on Scripps Center for Metabolomics METLIN Metabolite Database. To learn more, visit sigma.com/metlin._x000D_ Legal Information_x000D_ LOPAC is a registered trademark of Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC