The present invention provides a novel all-trans-RA inducible all-trans-RA
metabolizing cytochrome P450, P450RAI-2, that is predominantly expressed
in the brain, cerebellum in particular. Human P450RAI-2 show 42% amino
acid identity to human P450RAI-1 and when transfected into COS-1 cells
causes the rapid conversion of all-trans-RA into more polar metabolites
including the inactive products 4-oxo-RA, 4-OH-RA and 18-OH-RA.
P450RAI-2, as with P450RAI-1, is also inducible in certain cultured cell
lines exposed to all-trans-RA. Methods for and uses of the new
polynucleotide, polypeptide, fragments thereof and inhibitors thereof,
include the treatment of dermatological disorders and cancer.