RZR-alpha (RZRA) is a member of a new subfamily of
the steroid hormone nuclear receptor superfamily, which includes receptors for steroids, retinoids, and thyroid
hormones, as well as a large number of related 'orphan' receptors, so named because their ligands are unknown.
NCBI Summary:
The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the NR1 subfamily of nuclear hormone receptors. It can bind as a monomer or as a homodimer to hormone response elements upstream of several genes to enhance the expression of those genes. The specific functions of this protein are not known, but it has been shown to interact with NM23-2, a nucleoside diphosphate kinase involved in organogenesis and differentiation, as well as with NM23-1, the product of a tumor metastasis suppressor candidate gene. Four transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described for this gene.
General function
Receptor, DNA binding, Transcription factor
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Cellular localization
Nuclear
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Ovarian function
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Expression regulated by
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Ovarian localization
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Follicle stages
Antral, Preovulatory
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Liu HC, et al 2001 reported tha application of complementary DNA microarray (DNA chip) technology in the study of gene expression profiles during
folliculogenesis.
They used oligonucleotide microarray (DNA chip)-based hybridization
analysis to gain a comprehensive view of gene expression and regulation
involved in folliculogenesis.
Preantral follicles isolated from day 14 B6D2F-1 mice
were stimulated in vitro to form Graafian follicles. Total RNA extracted from
the mouse preantral and Graafian follicles were reverse transcribed, labeled
with digoxigenin-11-dUTP, and then hybridized with Clontech Atlas mouse cDNA
expression arrays for comparison. Of 588 known studied genes, 39 and 61 were detected in preantral follicles and in Graafian follicles, respectively, and 17 were highly
expressed consistently in both preantral and Graafian follicles. Performing
clustering analysis, 46 were upregulated as the follicles advanced to mature stages. The RAR-RELATED ORPHAN RECEPTOR A gene is up-regulated in the Graafian follicles.