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Biochem/physiol Actions

RXRA (retinoid X receptor α) functions as a heterodimer partner for multiple nuclear receptors (NR), including constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), the pregnane X receptor (PXR), the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) etc. It also functions as a partner for NRs that are involved in drug and lipid metabolism, and in coordination with MAPK/PI3K (mitogen activated protein kinase/phosphoinositide 3-kinase) is involved in suppression of hepatic detoxification during inflammation. rs10776909 polymorphism in this gene is associated with the pathogenesis of chronic glomerulonephritis (ChGN) and is linked with poorer clinical course of ChGN.

Nuclear receptors form the largest known family of transcription factors and have a crucial role in nearly all aspects of vertebrate development and adult physiology by transducing the effects of hormones into transcriptional responses. The family is defined by two domains: (a) the central, highly conserved, DNA-binding domain (DBD) of approx. 66 amino acids, and (b) the C-terminal, structurally conserved, ligand-binding domain (LBD) of approx. 250 amino acids. In addition to binding to DNA and activating transcription in response to 9-cis retinoic acid, RXR forms heterodimers with the receptors for thyroid hormone (TR), retinoic acid (RAR), vitamin D (VDR), prostanoids (PEAR), and numerous orphan receptors. RXR acts as both activator and repressor of transcription. In the absence of hormone, RXR (homo- or heterodimer) interacts with SMRT (silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors) and N-CoR (nuclear receptor corepressor) and represses transcription through recruitment of histone deacetylases. In the presence of hormone, RXR interacts with a number of activators including the SRC-1 family, CBP/p300, pCAF and the TRAP complex to target chromatin acetylation and activation of transcription.

General description

RXRA (retinoid X receptor α) is a member of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily, which is the largest known family of transcription factors. All NR family members are defined by two structural components- a central, highly conserved, DNA-binding domain (DBD) composed of ∼66 residues, a C-terminal structurally conserved, ligand-binding domain (LBD) of ∼250 residues. The N-terminal is highly variable and differs from receptor to receptor and contains a ligand-independent transactivation domain known as activation function 1 (AF-1). There are three types of RXR- RXRα, β, and γ.

Physical form

Clear and colorless frozen liquid solution

Preparation Note

Use a manual defrost freezer and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. While working, please keep sample on ice.