This gene encodes retinoic acid receptor beta, a member of
the thyroid-steroid hormone receptor superfamily of nuclear
transcriptional regulators. This receptor localizes to the
cytoplasm and to subnuclear compartments. It binds retinoic acid,
the biologically active form of vitamin A which mediates cellular
signalling in embryonic morphogenesis, cell growth and
differentiation. It is thought that this protein limits growth of
many cell types by regulating gene expression. The gene was first
identified in a hepatocellular carcinoma where it flanks a
hepatitis B virus integration site. The gene expresses at least two
transcript variants; one additional transcript has been described,
but its full length nature has not been determined. [provided by
RefSeq].
