HOXB6
Description
The HOXB6 (homeobox B6) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 17.
HOXB6 is a gene that encodes a protein called Homeobox protein Hox-B6. This protein is a member of the Antp homeobox family and has a DNA-binding domain called a homeobox. It is found within a cluster of genes called the homeobox B genes on chromosome 17. HOXB6 acts as a transcription factor, meaning it controls the activity of other genes. It's involved in various developmental processes, particularly those related to lung and skin development. Research suggests that HOXB6 is linked to certain types of cancer, including acute myeloid leukemia and colorectal cancer. Specifically, changes in its expression levels or its location within the cell are associated with these cancers. During development, HOXB6 is only expressed in erythroid progenitor cells, which are the precursors to red blood cells. Its expression is triggered during early fetal development, shortly after the mesoderm (the middle layer of the embryo) is established. Interestingly, HOXB6 is not found in hematopoietic stem cells (the precursors to all blood cells) or primordial germ cells (the precursors to cells that pass on genetic information to the next generation). HOXB6's role as a transcription factor is crucial for regulating erythropoiesis (red blood cell formation) by controlling the production of specific proteins.
HOXB6 is also known as HOX2, HOX2B, HU-2, Hox-2.2.
Associated Diseases
- autosomal recessive spondylocostal dysostosis
- autosomal dominant spondylocostal dysostosis
- thoracolaryngopelvic dysplasia
- Becker nevus syndrome
- spondylometaphyseal dysplasia, A4 type
- male hypergonadotropic hypogonadism-intellectual disability-skeletal anomalies syndrome
- brachyolmia, Maroteaux type
- autosomal dominant brachyolmia
- spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda, autosomal dominant
