HHEX
Description
The HHEX (hematopoietically expressed homeobox) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 10.
HHEX, a member of the homeobox family of transcription factors, is involved in developmental processes. It plays a role in hematopoietic differentiation but its expression is not limited to hematopoietic cells. HHEX can act as both a transcriptional activator and repressor, influencing the development of various organs, including the liver, thyroid, and forebrain. It interacts with other signaling molecules, such as VEGFA and SCL, to regulate developmental processes. HHEX is critical for embryonic development as its absence leads to embryonic lethality between Day 13 and Day 16 of gestation.
HHEX recognizes the DNA sequence 5'-ATTAA-3'. It acts as a transcriptional repressor and activates WNT-mediated transcription in conjunction with CTNNB1. HHEX establishes anterior identity by enhancing canonical WNT-signaling through repressing TLE4 expression and by inhibiting NODAL-signaling by directly targeting NODAL. It also inhibits EIF4E-mediated mRNA nuclear export, potentially playing a role in hematopoietic differentiation.
HHEX is also known as HEX, HMPH, HOX11L-PEN, PRH, PRHX.
