The topological role of homeoproteins in the developing central nervous system.
Homeogenes encode homeoprotein transcription factors that have fundamental roles in development. They are key players in genetic networks that lay out the body plan and also determine morphology and physiology at the cellular and multicellular level. However, homeoproteins share activities that extend beyond transcription, including translation regulation and signalling. For example, homeoproteins participate in the definition of territories in the neuroepithelium and also have a function in axonal guidance. Based on these examples, we propose that homeoproteins are not only morphogenetic transcription factors, but also morphogens themselves.
Brunet
Isabelle
I
Unité Mixte de Recherche 8542, Development and Evolution of the Nervous System (Development and Neuropharmacology Group), Ecole normale supérieure, 46 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.
Di Nardo
Ariel A
AA
Sonnier
Laure
L
Beurdeley
Marine
M
Prochiantz
Alain
A
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors