Retinoid X Receptor Alpha (RXRα)

Retinoid X Receptor Alpha (RXRα) is a nuclear receptor and transcription factor that mediates the biological effects of retinoids. It plays a crucial role in regulating genes involved in various metabolic processes, including fatty acid oxidation, glucose and lipid metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, and bile acid homeostasis. RXRα also participates in immune responses and hepatic fibrosis. Activated primarily by 9-cis retinoic acid (9cRA), it forms homodimers or heterodimers with other nuclear receptors such as RARs, PPARs, LXRs and VDRs to regulate gene transcription.

Other names

NR2B1Nuclear receptor subfamily 2, group B, member 1RXRA

RXRα binds as a homodimer or heterodimer to specific DNA sequences (response elements) in the promoters of target genes. Upon ligand (e.g., 9cRA) binding, RXRα recruits coactivators, leading to transcriptional activation. In the absence of ligand, it associates with corepressors, leading to transcriptional repression.