Blood-circulating retinol is internalized through membrane transporter and receptor STRA6, not in all cell types, however it is converted into all-trans RA, which binds to CRABP2 for signaling in the nucleus. RA triggers gene transcription by binding to RARs and to retinoid X receptors (RXRs). In the presence of the ligand, RAR and RXR heterodimerize on RARE sequences located in promoter regions inducing the transcription of target genes. ADH, alcohol dehydrogenase; CRBP, cellular retinolbinding protein 1; Gαq, Gq protein alpha subunit; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinases; RALDH, retinaldehyde dehydrogenase; RBP4, retinol-binding protein 4; RDH, retinol dehydrogenase; STRA6, stimulated by RA 6; RARE, RA-response element.