Retinoic acid rapidly induces lung cellular retinol-binding protein mRNA levels in retinol deficient rats.

Retinol deficiency resulted in decreased mRNA levels for cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) in the lungs and the testes. The level of lung CRBP mRNA increased 2.3-fold one hour after oral administration of retinoic acid to retinol deficient rats. In contrast, testicular CRBP mRNA level was not influenced. Our data indicate that retinoic acid regulates CRBP mRNA level in the whole animal and this rapid effect suggests a role for CRBP in the mechanism of vitamin A action at genomic level.