這個基因代表一個核維甲酸受體。編碼蛋白視黃酸受體α以配體依賴的方式調節轉錄。該基因參與調控時鐘基因的發育、分化、凋亡、顆粒變性和轉錄。這個位點和其他幾個位點之間的易位與急性早幼粒細胞白血病有關。另外，已經發現了這個位點的剪接轉錄變體。
This gene represents a nuclear retinoic acid receptor. The encoded protein, retinoic acid receptor alpha, regulates transcription in a ligand-dependent manner. This gene has been implicated in regulation of development, differentiation, apoptosis, granulopoeisis, and transcription of clock genes. Translocations between this locus and several other loci have been associated with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this locus.