In vertebrates, the genes encoding the class of transcription factors called homeobox genes are found in clusters named A, B, C, and D on four separate chromosomes. Expression of these proteins is spatially and temporally regulated during embryonic development. This gene is part of the A cluster on chromosome 7 and encodes a DNA-binding transcription factor which may regulate gene expression, morphogenesis, and differentiation.[7]
Clinical significance[]
Expansion of a polyalanine tract in the encoded protein can cause hand-foot-genital syndrome, also known as hand-foot-uterus syndrome.[8] Aberrant expression of HoxA13 gene products in the esophagus, provokes Barrett’s esophagus, a form of metaplasia that is a direct precursor to esophageal cancer.[9]
Utsch B, Becker K, Brock D, Lentze MJ, Bidlingmaier F, Ludwig M (May 2002). "A novel stable polyalanine [poly(A)] expansion in the HOXA13 gene associated with hand-foot-genital syndrome: proper function of poly(A)-harbouring transcription factors depends on a critical repeat length?". Human Genetics. 110 (5): 488–94. doi:10.1007/s00439-002-0712-8. PMID12073020. S2CID22181414.
Acampora D, D'Esposito M, Faiella A, Pannese M, Migliaccio E, Morelli F, Stornaiuolo A, Nigro V, Simeone A, Boncinelli E (Dec 1989). "The human HOX gene family". Nucleic Acids Research. 17 (24): 10385–402. doi:10.1093/nar/17.24.10385. PMC335308. PMID2574852.
Apiou F, Flagiello D, Cillo C, Malfoy B, Poupon MF, Dutrillaux B (1996). "Fine mapping of human HOX gene clusters". Cytogenetics and Cell Genetics. 73 (1–2): 114–5. doi:10.1159/000134320. PMID8646877.
Mortlock DP, Innis JW (Feb 1997). "Mutation of HOXA13 in hand-foot-genital syndrome". Nature Genetics. 15 (2): 179–80. doi:10.1038/ng0297-179. PMID9020844. S2CID24522600.
de Stanchina E, Gabellini D, Norio P, Giacca M, Peverali FA, Riva S, Falaschi A, Biamonti G (Jun 2000). "Selection of homeotic proteins for binding to a human DNA replication origin". Journal of Molecular Biology. 299 (3): 667–80. doi:10.1006/jmbi.2000.3782. PMID10835276.
Taketani T, Taki T, Ono R, Kobayashi Y, Ida K, Hayashi Y (Aug 2002). "The chromosome translocation t(7;11)(p15;p15) in acute myeloid leukemia results in fusion of the NUP98 gene with a HOXA cluster gene, HOXA13, but not HOXA9". Genes, Chromosomes & Cancer. 34 (4): 437–43. doi:10.1002/gcc.10077. PMID12112533. S2CID20992707.