Gene Receptors

Task 3. Gene Receptors. Determine if the development of tumors in trout liver and in other locations and animals is related to a dysfunction of certain gene receptors. Of particular concern are the receptors which activate transcription for proteins effecting cell differentiation.** This phase of the research will target the events and metabolism surrounding the retinoid receptors - trans retinoic acid receptors (RAR) and 9-cis retinoic acid receptors (RXR). The object is to find whether inhibited cell differentiation is related to depressed formation of specific retinoids which are necessary for activating either RAR or RXR, or to a dysfunction of retinoid binding (carrier) proteins or to other factors in this chain which regulates transcription.