Retinaldehyde

A diterpene derived from the carotenoid VITAMIN A which functions as the active component of the visual cycle. It is the prosthetic group of RHODOPSIN (i.e., covalently bonded to ROD OPSIN as 11-cis-retinal). When stimulated by visible light, rhodopsin transforms this cis-isomer of retinal to the trans-isomer (11-trans-retinal). This transformation straightens-out the bend of the retinal molecule and causes a change in the shape of rhodopsin triggering the visual process. A series of energy-requiring enzyme-catalyzed reactions convert the 11-trans-retinal back to the cis-isomer.

Also Known As:

Retinal; Retinene; Vitamin A Aldehyde; 11-cis-Retinal; 11 cis Retinal; 11 trans Retinal; Aldehydde, Retinyl; Aldehyde, Vitamin A; all trans Retinal; 11-trans-Retinal; 3,7- dimethyl- 9- (2,6,6- trimethyl- 1- cyclohexen- 1- yl)- 2,4,6,8- Nonatetraenal; Axerophthal; Retinyl Aldehydde; all-trans-Retinal

Organic Chemicals: 140
- Aldehydes: 2188
  - Retinaldehyde: 51588
- Hydrocarbons: 1726
  - Terpenes: 1531
    - Carotenoids: 4191
      - Retinoids: 5971
        Retinaldehyde: 51588
    - Diterpenes: 1517
      - Retinaldehyde: 51588
  - Cyclic Hydrocarbons: 96
    - Alicyclic Hydrocarbons: 1
      - Cycloparaffins: 6
        Cyclohexanes: 3
        Cyclohexenes: 5
        Carotenoids: 4191
        Retinoids: 5971
        Retinaldehyde: 51588
  - Acyclic Hydrocarbons
    - Alkenes: 270
      - Polyenes: 167
        Carotenoids: 4191
        Retinoids: 5971
        Retinaldehyde: 51588
Biological Factors: 2560
- Biological Pigments: 1
  - Carotenoids: 4191
    - Retinoids: 5971
      - Retinaldehyde: 51588

T C Freeman Selected Research

T C Freeman Research Topics

Disease

Drug/Important Bio-Agent (IBA)