RARA Human

Retinoic Acid Receptor Alpha (RARα), also known as NR1B1, is a nuclear receptor encoded by the RARA gene in humans. This receptor plays a crucial role in mediating the effects of retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, which is essential for various biological processes including cell growth, differentiation, and embryonic development .

RARα is part of the nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group B, member 1. It functions as a transcription factor that regulates gene expression by binding to specific DNA sequences. The receptor forms heterodimers with retinoid X receptors (RXRs), and in the absence of a ligand, these heterodimers repress transcription by recruiting corepressors such as NCOR1, SMRT (NCOR2), and histone deacetylases .

When retinoic acid binds to RARα, it induces a conformational change that allows the recruitment of coactivators, histone acetyltransferases, and the basic transcription machinery. This binding initiates the transcription of target genes, leading to various physiological effects .

Retinoic acid signaling, mediated by RARα, is vital for several developmental processes:

• Embryonic Development: RARα is involved in the formation of the embryonic axis, neural differentiation, cardiogenesis, and the development of organs such as the pancreas, kidneys, lungs, and extremities .
• Cell Growth and Differentiation: Retinoic acid influences cell proliferation and differentiation, making RARα crucial for maintaining normal cellular functions .

Mutations or translocations involving the RARA gene are associated with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The most common translocation is t(15;17)(q21;q22), which fuses the RARA gene with the PML gene, leading to the development of APL .

Human recombinant RARα is produced using recombinant DNA technology, which involves inserting the RARA gene into a suitable expression system, such as bacteria or mammalian cells. This allows for the production of large quantities of the receptor for research and therapeutic purposes.