HOXB4
Description
The HOXB4 (homeobox B4) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 17.
HOXB4, a gene located on chromosome 17, encodes a nuclear protein with a homeobox DNA-binding domain. This protein acts as a transcription factor, regulating gene expression based on specific DNA sequences. It is part of a cluster of homeobox B genes involved in development. HOXB4's function is crucial in establishing positional identity along the anterior-posterior axis, meaning it helps determine where different cells develop within an organism. Interestingly, when expressed inside cells or artificially, HOXB4 can expand the number of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (cells that give rise to various blood cells). This potential makes HOXB4 a promising candidate for therapeutic stem cell expansion.
HOXB4 is also known as HOX-2.6, HOX2, HOX2F.
Associated Diseases
- autosomal recessive spondylocostal dysostosis
- Klippel-Feil syndrome 3, autosomal dominant
- Prata-Liberal-Goncalves syndrome
- hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin-sickle cell disease syndrome
- hemoglobin D disease
- dominant beta-thalassemia
- alpha-thalassemia-myelodysplastic syndrome
- hemoglobin C-beta-thalassemia syndrome
- osteomesopyknosis
- hemoglobin H disease
