title: Cellular and molecular insights into Hox protein action.
abstract: Hox genes encode homeodomain transcription factors that control morphogenesis and have established functions in development and evolution. Hox proteins have remained enigmatic with regard to the molecular mechanisms that endow them with specific and diverse functions, and to the cellular functions that they control. Here, we review recent examples of Hox-controlled cellular functions that highlight their versatile and highly context-dependent activity. This provides the setting to discuss how Hox proteins control morphogenesis and organogenesis. We then summarise the molecular modalities underlying Hox protein function, in particular in light of current models of transcription factor function. Finally, we discuss how functional divergence between Hox proteins might be achieved to give rise to the many facets of their action.
authors: Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve B-1348, Belgium rene.rezsohazy@uclouvain.be yacine.graba@univ-amu.fr.
authors: René
authors: R
authors: Rezsohazy
authors: Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IBDM, UMR 7288, Marseille 13288, Cedex 09, France.
authors: Andrew J
authors: AJ
authors: Saurin
authors: Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IBDM, UMR 7288, Marseille 13288, Cedex 09, France.
authors: Corinne
authors: C
authors: Maurel-Zaffran
authors: Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IBDM, UMR 7288, Marseille 13288, Cedex 09, France rene.rezsohazy@uclouvain.be yacine.graba@univ-amu.fr.
authors: Yacine
authors: Y
authors: Graba
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002477:Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D011485:Protein Binding; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins
keywords: Homeodomain; Hox; Morphogenesis