The receptors for retinoids, RARs and RXRs, induce transcriptional activation by binding the specific retinoid response elements, RARE and RXRE. Alternatively, retinoid receptors interact with and modulate other transcription factors, including activator protein-1 (AP-1). SR 11302 is a synthetic retinoid that inhibits AP-1 activity without activating transcription through RARE. It significantly suppresses both AP-1 activation and phorbol ester-induced papilloma formation in mice when applied topically (0.1 μM). SR 11302 is used to elucidate the role of AP-1 in various signaling pathways.
