background:
Closely related homeobox proteins, MOX-1 and MOX-2, belong to a family of nonclustered, diverged homeobox genes that are expressed in overlapping patterns in the paraxial mesoderm and its derivatives. MOX-1 and MOX-2 function transiently in the formation of mesodermal and mesenchymal derivatives. MOX-1 and MOX-2 are implicated in the early steps of mesoderm formation during gastrulation. In addition, the MOX proteins are also involved in somatic differentiation. Significantly, MOX-1 associates more strongly with Pax-1, whereas MOX-2 preferentially associates with Pax-3. Specifically, expression of MOX-2 (also known as mesenchyme homeobox 2 or GAX), has been shown to be critical in axial skeleton development. MOX-2 is not needed for the migration of myogenic precursors into the limb bud, but it is essential for normal appendicular muscle formation and for the normal regulation of myogenic genes. MOX-2 is expressed in placental tissue. The human MEOX2 gene maps to chromosome 7p21.1 and encodes the MOX-2 protein. Mutations in the gene may be involved in craniofacial and/or skeletal abnormalities.
Function:
Role in mesoderm induction and its earliest regional specification, somitogenesis, and myogenic and sclerotomal differentiation. May have a regulatory role when quiescent vascular smooth muscle cells reenter the cell cycle.
Subunit:
Interacts with RNF10.
Subcellular Location:
Nucleus.
Tissue Specificity:
Embryo and placenta.
Similarity:
Contains 1 homeobox DNA-binding domain.
Database links:
UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: P50222.2
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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