MEOX2
Description
The MEOX2 (mesenchyme homeobox 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 7.
The MEOX2 gene encodes a protein known as homeobox protein MOX-2. This protein belongs to a subfamily of non-clustered, diverged, antennapedia-like homeobox-containing genes. MEOX2 is involved in regulating vertebrate limb myogenesis. Mutations in the related mouse protein are linked to craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities, as well as neurovascular dysfunction observed in Alzheimer's disease. MEOX2 has been implicated in glioma tumor initiation and plays a significant role in lung cancer, influencing cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance development. MEOX2 interacts with PAX1 and PAX3.
MEOX2, also known as Growth arrest-specific homeobox and Mesenchyme homeobox 2, is a mesodermal transcription factor with key roles in somitogenesis and limb muscle differentiation. During limb development, it is essential for normal appendicular muscle formation and regulation of myogenic genes. MEOX2 may also regulate the re-entry of quiescent vascular smooth muscle cells into the cell cycle. It acts as a negative regulator of angiogenesis, activating the expression of CDKN1A and CDKN2A in endothelial cells, thereby regulating vascular cell proliferation. CDKN1A activation occurs in a DNA-dependent manner, while CDKN2A activation is DNA-independent. MEOX2 interacts with TCF15 to regulate transcription in heart endothelial cells, impacting fatty acid transport across these cells. It also interacts with RNF10.
MEOX2 is also known as GAX, MOX2.
