该基因编码一种视黄酸受体，属于核激素受体家族。视黄酸受体（rars）作为配体依赖的转录调节因子。当与配体结合时，rars以异二聚体的形式与靶基因启动子区发现的视黄酸反应元件（稀有）结合，从而激活转录。rars以未结合的形式抑制靶基因的转录。rars参与多种生物学过程，包括肢芽发育、骨骼生长和基质内稳态。另外，已经发现该基因编码不同亚型的剪接转录变体。

This gene encodes a retinoic acid receptor that belongs to the nuclear hormone receptor family. Retinoic acid receptors (RARs) act as ligand-dependent transcriptional regulators. When bound to ligands, RARs activate transcription by binding as heterodimers to the retinoic acid response elements (RARE) found in the promoter regions of the target genes. In their unbound form, RARs repress transcription of their target genes. RARs are involved in various biological processes, including limb bud development, skeletal growth, and matrix homeostasis. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.