A mollusk retinoic acid receptor (RAR) ortholog sheds light on the evolution of ligand binding.

ABSTRACT: Nuclear receptors are transcription factors that regulate networks of target genes in response to small molecules. There is a strong bias in our knowledge of these receptors because they were mainly characterized in classical model organisms, mostly vertebrates. Therefore, the evolutionary origins of specific ligand-receptor couples still remain elusive. Here we present the identification and characterization of a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) from the mollusk Nucella lapillus (NlRAR). We show that this receptor specifically binds to DNA response elements organized in direct repeats as a heterodimer with retinoid X receptor. Surprisingly, we also find that NlRAR does not bind all-trans retinoic acid or any other retinoid we tested. Furthermore, NlRAR is unable to activate the transcription

SUBMITTER: Gutierrez-Mazariegos J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4197984 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature