Retinoic Acid Induced Protein 1 (RAI1)

RAI1 is highly similar to its mouse counterpart and is expressed at high levels mainly in neuronal tissues. The protein encoded by this gene includes a polymorphic polyglutamine tract in the N-terminal domain. Expression of the mouse counterpart in neurons is induced by retinoic acid. This gene is associated with both the severity of the phenotype and the response to medication in schizophrenic patients. RAI1 has no potential membrane-spanning hydrophobic domains. Northern blot analysis revealed expression of several transcripts. An 8-kb transcript was expressed in all adult and fetal tissues and brain regions examined, except fetal liver. A 10-kb transcript was expressed weakly in heart, kidney, pancreas, stomach, thyroid, spinal cord, and lymph node. A 1.5-kb transcript was detected only in placenta.