Retinoic acid-induced protein 14 (RAI14)

Retinoic acid-induced protein 14 (RAI14) is an actin-binding protein originally identified as a retinoic acid-responsive gene, with significant roles in cytoskeletal regulation and tissue development[1][3]. RAI14 orchestrates filamentous actin (F-actin) assembly and stability, acting as a key regulator of dendritic spine dynamics and maintenance, thereby influencing synaptic connectivity, learning, memory, and behaviors associated with depression[1][5]. Beyond the nervous system, RAI14 is highly expressed in tissues such as placenta, testis, and contributes to cell adhesion and polarity in the seminiferous epithelium by regulating actin-rich structures called ectoplasmic specializations in Sertoli cells[3]. In the context of mechanotransduction, RAI14 links extracellular mechanical forces to intracellular signaling through the Hippo pathway and interacts with regulatory components such as YAP and NF2, playing a role in cancer cell growth, especially in gastric cancer, where its overexpression correlates with worse prognosis[2]. RAI14 further participates in mTOR-mediated inflammatory signaling in glial cells, enhancing NF-κB activation in response to inflammatory cytokines and hypoxic stress, implicating it in neuroinflammation and ischemic responses[4]. Overall, RAI14 is emerging as a multifunctional cytoskeletal regulator and signaling adaptor with relevance in neurological disorders, cancer, and inflammatory diseases.

Other names

RAI14NORPEGAnkycorbinRetinoic acid induced protein 14Retinoic acid-induced protein 14Retinoic acid-induced 14

RAI14 modulates actin dynamics, regulates protein stability via interaction with signaling proteins (e.g., Tara, mTOR, NF-κB regulators), mediates the Hippo signaling pathway, and enhances the mTOR-mediated NF-κB inflammatory pathway[4].