Murine isoforms of retinoic acid receptor gamma with specific patterns of expression.

Abstract

We have characteried seven murine retinoic acid receptor .gamma. cDNA isoforms (mRAR-.gamma.1 to -.gamma.7) generated by alternative splicing of at least seven exons. These isoforms differ from one another in their 5'' untranslated region and in two cases (mRAR-.gamma.1 and -.gamma.2) differ in their N-terminal A region, which is known to be important for differential transactivation by other nuclear receptors. mRAR-.gamma.1 and -.gamma.2, the predominant isoforms, are differently expressed in adult tissues and during embyrogenesis. Most notably, skin contains almost tissues exclusively mRAR-.gamma.1 transcripts. The conservation of the RAR-.gamma. isoforms from mouse to human together with their patterns of expression suggest that they perform specific functions, which may account for the pleiotropic effect of retinoic acid in embryogenesis and development.