This gene encodes a retinol dehydrogenase, which converts all-trans-retinol to all-trans-retinal, with preference for NADP as a cofactor. Studies in mice suggest that this protein is essential for synthesis of embryonic retinoic acid and is required for limb, craniofacial, and organ development. [provided by RefSeq, Dec 2011].
Tworak, Kolesnikov, Hong, Choi, Luu, Palczewska, Dong, Lewandowski, Brooks, Campello, Swaroop, Kiser, Kefalov, Palczewski: "Rapid RGR-dependent visual pigment recycling is mediated by the RPE and specialized Müller glia." in: Cell reports, Vol. 42, Issue 8, pp. 112982, (2023) (PubMed).
Gauchotte, Lacomme, Brochin, Tournier, Cahn, Monhoven, Piard, Klein, Martinet, Rochette-Egly, Vignaud: "Retinoid acid receptor expression is helpful to distinguish between adenoma and well-differentiated carcinoma in the thyroid." in: Virchows Archiv : an international journal of pathology, (2013) (PubMed).