Retinoic acid receptor responder protein 2 (RARRES2)

Retinoic acid receptor responder protein 2 (RARRES2), commonly known as chemerin, is a secreted adipokine and chemotactic protein encoded by the RARRES2 gene in humans. It is expressed predominantly in white adipose tissue, liver, and lung. RARRES2 is secreted as an inactive precursor (prochemerin) and activated by C-terminal processing through proteases associated with inflammation and coagulation. As an endogenous ligand, chemerin binds to specific G protein-coupled receptors (notably CMKLR1, also known as ChemR23), mediating chemotactic responses in dendritic cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells, as well as regulating adipogenesis, lipid and glucose metabolism, and inflammatory pathways. RARRES2 has both pro- and anti-inflammatory actions depending on its proteolytic processing and local context. Dysregulation of chemerin signaling is implicated in obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and various cancers. Circulating chemerin levels serve as a biomarker for metabolic and inflammatory states. The RARRES2/chemerin system represents a potential therapeutic target, mainly through modulation of its principal receptor, CMKLR1.

Other names

ChemerinTazarotene-induced gene 2 proteinTIG2RAR-responsive protein TIG2HP10433Retinoic acid receptor responder (tazarotene induced) 2

As an endogenous ligand: binds GPCRs (especially CMKLR1), activating intracellular signaling (Gi/o pathway, MAPK, PI3K, calcium mobilization, RhoA/ROCK, etc.), leading to chemotaxis, immune modulation, metabolic effects. Drugs targeting its receptor(s): Antagonists or agonists of CMKLR1 may modulate chemerin's effects on inflammation, metabolism, and cell recruitment.