Response element, retinoid

Retinoic acid (RA) describes a group of vitamin A acid (synonym Vitamin A1 acid) derivatives such as all-irans-retinoic acid (tretinoin), 9-cis-retinoic acid and 13-cis retinoic acid (isotretinoin). Retinoic acids act through binding to retinoic acid and retinoid X response elements. 

Gene regulation by tocopherols has mainly been associated with PKC because of its deactivation by a-tocopherol and its contribution in the regulation of a number of transcription factors (NF-kappaB, API). A direct participation of the pregnane X receptor (PXR)/ retinoid X receptor (RXR) has been also shown. The antioxidant-responsive element (ARE) and the TGF-beta-responsive element appear in some cases to be implicated as well. The obser ved immunmodulatory function of a-tocopherol may also be attributed to the fact that the release of the proinflammatory cytokine interlukin-l 3 can be inhibited by a-tocopherol via... 

These nuclear receptors have several common structural features (Figure 43-12). All have a centrally located DNA-binding domain (DBD) that allows the receptor to bind with high affinity to a response element. The DBD contains two zinc finger binding motifs (see Figure 39-14) that direct binding either as homodimers, as heterodimers (usually with a retinoid X... 

A most important function of vitamin A is in the control of cell differentiation and mrnover. PsA-trans-retinoic acid and 9-cw-retinoic acid (Figure 45-1) regulate growth, development, and tissue differentiation they have different actions in different tissues. Like the steroid hormones and vitamin D, retinoic acid binds to nuclear receptors that bind to response elements of DNA and regulate the transcription of specific genes. There are two families of nuclear retinoid receptors the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) bind all-rrijw-retinoic acid or 9-c -retinoic acid, and the retinoid X receptors (RXRs) bind 9-cw-retinoic acid. 

Chou WY, Stewart MJ, Kruijer W, Crabb DW. The retinoid X receptor response element in the human aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 promoter is antagonized by the chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter family of orphan receptors. Arch Biochem Biophys 2000 280 192-200. 

Figure 5.36 Mechanism of the receptor-mediated induction of CYP4A by a chemical such as the drug clofibrate. The inducer-receptor (PPAR) complex enters the nucleus, binds with RXR, and the complex binds to the receptor response elements in the CYP gene. This induces the production of CYP4A mRNA, which leads to the production of CYP4A protein and functional enzyme. Alternatively, the drug may perturb lipid metabolism leading to increases in a lipid(s), which will bind to the receptor and cause the same response. Abbreviations PPAR, peroxisome proliterator-activated receptor RXR, retinoid X receptor.

The receptor protein (52 kDa) is a member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily, which has a DNA-binding as well as ligand-binding domain. Another receptor, the retinoid X receptor is also involved, and after binding of the peroxisome proliferator, the two receptors form a heterodimer. This binds to a regulatory DNA sequence known as the peroxisome proliferator response element. The end result of the interaction between peroxisome proliferators and this system is that genes are switched on, leading to increases in synthesis (induction) of both microsomal and peroxisomal enzymes and possibly hyperplasia. 

Figure 9 Generalised scheme for an ecdysteroid-regulated gene switch system RXR = retinoid X receptor, EcR = ecdysteroid receptor, EcRE = ecdysteroid response element, MuA = muristerone A, PoA = ponasterone A.

The form of vitamin A that is needed for regulating vitamin A-dependent gene expression is retinoic acid.All-fraws-retinoic acid can interact with each of the three RARs (RARa, RAR(3, and RARy) and each of the three RXRs (RXRa, RXR(3, and RXRy). 9-cX-Retinoic acid binds and effectively transactivates only the RXRs. The RARs and the RXRs recognize well-defined exacting response elements, termed retinoic acid response elements (RAREs) and retinoid X response elements (RXREs) that are present in the promoter regions of responsive genes. The RARs and RXRs bind to RAREs and/or RXREs as dimers, either homodimers or heterodimers. 

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