Question

All-trans-retinoic acid binds the altered retinoic acid receptor in APL and causes blasts to mature. What is the effect of All-trans-retinoic acid on blasts in APL?

1) It inhibits the growth of blasts
2) It induces the differentiation of blasts
3) It promotes the proliferation of blasts
4) It has no effect on blasts

Answer 1

All-trans-retinoic acid induces the differentiation of blasts in APL, causing them to mature into normal blood cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

All-trans-retinoic acid, a form of vitamin A, induces the differentiation of blasts (immature blood cells) in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). It binds to the altered retinoic acid receptor in APL, causing the blasts to mature into normal blood cells.