Overview

RAR-α is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors that mediates signaling by all-trans and 9-cis retinoic acid, hormones derived from vitamin A (retinol). Along with other members of the RAR subfamily, RAR-α is redundantly involved in vertebrates in the pleiotropic control of embryonic patterning and organogenesis, cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and homeostatic control in multiple physiological systems.

Expression

RAR-α is expressed in mulitple organs in many major physiological systems (central nervous system (CNS), endocrine, metabolic, gastrointestinal, reproductive and cardiopulmonary), with particularly high levels in the eye, tongue, kidney, uterus and testis.

View full NURSA RARα expression dataset

Diseases

RARα dysfunction is assiciated with a variety of types of cleft palate, as well as with schizophrenia and other psychiatric conditions.

Phenotypes

Targeted disruption (knockout) of the RARα gene in mice is associated with defects in: the central nervous system (CNS); homeostasis and metabolism; hearing; endocrine/exocrine gland function, growth and size; the cardiovascular system; the reproductive system; the digestive system; the immune system; craniofacial and limb & digit development; muscular and skeletal function; the renal and urinary system; and the respiratory system. It also results in perinatal and postnatal lethality.

View RARα Diseases and Phenotypes section