Cross talk between signaling and vitamin A transport by the retinol-binding protein receptor STRA6.

ABSTRACT: The plasma membrane protein STRA6 transports vitamin A from its blood carrier retinol binding protein (RBP) into cells, and it also functions as a cytokine receptor which activates JAK/STAT signaling. We show here that, unlike other cytokine receptors, phosphorylation of STRA6 is not simply induced upon binding of its extracellular ligand. Instead, activation of the receptor is triggered by STRA6-mediated translocation of retinol from serum RBP to an intracellular acceptor, the retinol-binding protein CRBP-I. The observations also demonstrate that the movement of retinol from RBP to CRBP-I, and thus activation of STRA6, is critically linked to the intracellular metabolism of the vitamin. Furthermore, the data show that STRA6 phosphorylation is required for retinol uptake to proceed. Hence,

SUBMITTER: Berry DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3434520 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature