Active repression by unliganded retinoid receptors in development: less is sometimes more

The retinoid receptors have major roles throughout development, even in the absence of ligand. Here, we summarize an emerging theme whereby gene repression, mediated by unliganded retinoid receptors, can dictate cell fate. In addition to activating transcription, retinoid receptors actively repress gene transcription by recruiting cofactors that promote chromatin compaction. Two developmental processes for which gene silencing by the retinoid receptors is essential are head formation in Xenopus and skeletal development in the mouse. Inappropriate repression, by oncogenic retinoic acid (RA) receptor (RAR) fusion proteins, blocks myeloid differentiation leading to a rare form of leukemia. Our current understanding of the developmental role of retinoid repression and future perspectives in this field are discussed.