Apocarotenoids: Emerging Roles in Mammals.

Apocarotenoids: Emerging Roles in Mammals. Annu Rev Nutr. 2018 May 11;: Authors: Harrison EH, Quadro L Abstract Apocarotenoids are cleavage products of C40 isoprenoid pigments, named carotenoids, synthesized exclusively by plants and microorganisms. The colors of flowers and fruits and the photosynthetic process are examples of the biological properties conferred by carotenoids to these organisms. Mammals do not synthesize carotenoids but obtain them from foods of plant origin. Apocarotenoids are generated upon enzymatic and nonenzymatic cleavage of the parent compounds both in plants and in the tissues of mammals that have ingested carotenoid-containing foods. The best-characterized apocarotenoids are retinoids (vitamin A and its derivatives), generated upon central oxidative cleavage of provitamin A carotenoids, mainly β-carotene. In addition to the well-known biological actions of vitamin A, it is becoming apparent that nonretinoid apocarotenoids also have the potential to regulate a broad spectrum of critical cellular functions, thus influencing mammalian health. This review discusses the current knowledge about the generation and biological activities of nonretinoid apocarotenoids in mammals. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Nutrition Volume 38 is August 21, 2018. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates. PMID: 29751734 [PubMed - as supplied by pu...
Source: Annual Review of Nutrition - Category: Nutrition Authors: Tags: Annu Rev Nutr Source Type: research