PRKAR1A or the cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory subunit type I alpha, is part of the type 1 PKA holoenzyme. PRKAR1A is found to be a tissue-specific extinguisher that down-regulates the expression of seven liver genes in hepatoma x fibroblast hybrids. Mutations in PRKAR1A gene cause Carney complex (CNC) and PRKAR1A can fuse to the RET protooncogene by gene rearrangement and form the thyroid tumor-specific chimeric oncogene known as PTC2. A nonconventional nuclear localization sequence (NLS) has been found for this protein which suggests a role in DNA replication via the protein serving as a nuclear transport protein for the second subunit of the Replication Factor C (RFC40).