background:
The Hox proteins play a role in patterns of embryonic development and cellular differentiation by regulating downstream target genes. In vivo, the HoxD9 protein interacts with the autoregulatory and cross-regulatory enhancers of the murine HoxB1 and human HoxD9 genes. Specifically, the HoxD9 protein interacts with the human control region (HCR) of the HoxD9 gene, thus inducing transcription of the HoxD9 promoter. HoxD9 may be a multifunctional transcriptional regulator, as it contains different activation domains. Activation of HoxD9 depends on the structure of the target regulatory element, and results in differential cofactor interaction. The HoxD9 protein is expressed in the early stages of mouse joint development, primarily in the articular cartilage. HoxD9 transcripts are also detected in the synovial tissue of arthritic mice, but not in that of normal mice, suggesting that HoxD9 may have a role in the pathology of arthritis. Furthermore, the HoxD9 protein is highly expressed in the synoviocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but not in osteoarthritis patients. The human HoxD9 protein is also differentially expressed in the human cervical cancer cell line HeLa, but is not expressed in the normal cervix and may thus play a role in tumorigenesis.
Function:
This gene belongs to the homeobox family of genes. The homeobox genes encode a highly conserved family of transcription factors that play an important role in morphogenesis in all multicellular organisms. Mammals possess four similar homeobox gene clusters, HOXA, HOXB, HOXC and HOXD, located on different chromosomes, consisting of 9 to 11 genes arranged in tandem. This gene is one of several homeobox HOXD genes located at 2q31-2q37 chromosome regions. Deletions that removed the entire HOXD gene cluster or 5' end of this cluster have been associated with severe limb and genital abnormalities. The exact role of this gene has not been determined.
Subcellular Location:
Nuclear
Similarity:
Belongs to the Abd-B homeobox family.
Contains 1 homeobox DNA-binding domain.
Database links:
UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: P28356.5
Important Note:
This product as supplied is intended for research use only, not for use in human, therapeutic or diagnostic applications.
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