Stimulated by retinoic acid gene 6 protein (STRA6)

Stimulated by retinoic acid gene 6 protein (STRA6) is a multi-transmembrane protein that serves as the primary cell-surface receptor for retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), the major carrier of vitamin A in the blood (UniProt, 2024). Unlike traditional transporters, STRA6 facilitates the bidirectional movement of retinol across the cell membrane and also functions as a signaling receptor, activating the JAK/STAT pathway upon RBP4 binding (PubMed, 2021). It plays a critical role in embryonic development, particularly in the formation of the eyes, lungs, and heart, and its deficiency leads to Matthew-Wood syndrome (NIH, 2023). In adults, STRA6 is implicated in metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes through its role in RBP4-mediated insulin resistance (PubMed, 2022). Therapeutic strategies targeting the STRA6-RBP4 axis are being explored for treating metabolic disorders and certain cancers where STRA6 is overexpressed (ClinicalTrials.gov, 2024).

Other names

Retinol-binding protein receptorMCOPS9STRA6

Antagonism of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) to prevent its binding to STRA6, thereby inhibiting retinol uptake and downstream signaling.