title: Modulated expression of human homeobox genes in differentiating intestinal cells.
abstract: Homeobox genes (Hox genes) control segmentation and segment specificity in Drosophila. Hox genes have been detected in several species from insects to vertebrates. Differential and stage-related expression has been observed in human embryonic tissues as well. We have investigated whether the cell line Caco-2 and human adult intestine express Hox genes. Caco-2 is a cell line derived from a human colon carcinoma and exhibits a spontaneous enterocytic differentiation after cellular confluency in vitro. At 7, 14 and 21 days after seeding we have found that Hox-2.3 and one Hox-3 gene hybridize to poly(A)+RNA in a stage-related fashion. Moreover, the 21 days pattern of hybridization resembles that one observed in adult small intestine. The Caco-2 cell line provides a model system that allows a detailed analysis of cellular factors controlling transcription and stability of Hox gene products.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology*; D013394:Sucrase-Isomaltase Complex / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D013394:Sucrase-Isomaltase Complex