The gene provides instructions for making a protein called the retinoic acid receptor alpha, which is a nuclear receptor critical for various biological processes.
: It is most famous for its role in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) . In most cases of APL, a piece of chromosome 15 (containing the PML gene) and a piece of chromosome 17 (containing the RARA gene) swap places. This creates a fusion protein called PML-RARA , which prevents immature white blood cells from maturing properly.
If you tell me more about your specific interest in this gene, I can provide: on its role in embryogenesis. Details on other RAR types (beta or gamma). Information on drug interactions targeting this receptor.