CSB430H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Pax6
Document Summary
Is a pretty common molecule that binds to a cytoplasmic receptor and translocates to nucleus upon binding: high levels of ra, activate posterior hox genes, repress anterior hox genes, naturally occurring gradient of ra, low anterior and high in the posterior. It binds to the cytoplasmic receptors, it enters the nucleus of the cell and then the receptor acts as a transcriptional regulator to regulate gene expression inside the nucleus: ra gradient is low in the anterioir side and is high in the posteiroir side. Birth defects include malformation of the brain: widely used drug for acne treatment, metabolized to retinoic acid, powerful teratogen, if a female is taking this drug and gets pregnant there is a very high chance that they baby will be born with malformations because ra is a transcriptional regulator and its gradient is important for the proper specification of hox gene expression, therefore this drug is prescribed along with birth control pills.