Multiple retinoid-responsive receptors in a single cell: families of retinoid "X" receptors and retinoic acid receptors in the Xenopus egg

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1992 Mar 15;89(6):2321-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.89.6.2321.

Abstract

In a search for nuclear hormone receptors expressed in early development we found that Xenopus laevis eggs contain mRNAs from two retinoic acid receptor genes (xRAR alpha and xRAR gamma) and two retinoid "X" receptor genes (xRXR alpha and xRXR gamma). We also show that RXRs are members of a family of at least three genes, thus expanding the number of genes encoding retinoic acid-responsive transcription factors to six. With the exception of xRXR gamma, these maternal mRNAs are degraded before gastrulation. The RXRs isolated are differentially activated by retinoic acid and by 3,4-didehydroretinoic acid. Considered together, these four receptors provide a molecular basis for the pleiotropic effects of retinoic acid on early development, and their pattern of expression suggests a role for retinoic acid at the earliest stages of embryonic determination.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / physiology
  • Female
  • Gene Library
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Kinetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • Ovum / drug effects
  • Ovum / physiology*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / isolation & purification
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid
  • Retinoid X Receptors
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
  • Transcription Factors*
  • Transfection
  • Tretinoin / metabolism*
  • Tretinoin / pharmacology
  • Xenopus laevis

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid
  • Retinoid X Receptors
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tretinoin

Associated data

  • GENBANK/UNKNOWN