Homeobox genes and cancer: new OCTaves for an old tune.
In this issue of Cancer Cell, Gidekel et al. demonstrate that Oct-4, a member of the POU class of homeobox genes, is a critical player in the genesis of testicular germ cell tumors. This study provides further evidence that deregulated expression of homeobox genes, which occurs in many solid tumors, is functionally relevant for carcinogenesis and highlights unique features that distinguish homeobox genes from other cancer-promoting genes.
Abate-Shen
Cory
C
Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Department of Medicine, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. abate@cabm.rutgers.edu
D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000235:genetics; D018237:Germinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; D013737:Testis / Q000503:physiopathology; D014157:Transcription Factors
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; C494173:POU5F1 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors