Stimulated By Retinoic Acid Gene 6 (STRA6)

STRA6 is a membrane protein involved in the metabolism of retinol. The encoded protein acts as a receptor for retinol/retinol binding protein complexes. This protein removes the retinol from the complex and transports it across the cell membrane. Defects in this gene are a cause of syndromic microphthalmia type 9 (MCOPS9). Several transcript variants encoding a few different isoforms have been found for this gene. The deduced 670-amino acid protein has 9 potential transmembrane domains. RT-PCR detected highest Stra6 expression in brain, kidney, spleen, testis, and female genital tract, and much lower expression in heart, lung, and liver. Immunohistochemical analysis and in situ hybridization of embryonic and adult mice showed that Stra6 was broadly expressed in a cell type-specific manner.