Homeobox protein DLX-2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DLX2 gene. [5] [6]
Many vertebrate homeo box-containing genes have been identified on the basis of their sequence similarity with Drosophila developmental genes. Members of the Dlx gene family contain a homeobox that is related to that of Distal-less (Dll), a gene expressed in the head and limbs of the developing fruit fly. The Distal-less (Dlx) family of genes comprises at least 6 different members, DLX1-DLX6. The DLX proteins are postulated to play a role in forebrain and craniofacial development. This gene is located in a tail-to-tail configuration with another member of the gene family on the long arm of chromosome 2. [6]
DLX2 has been shown to interact with DLX5, [7] MSX1 [7] and Msh homeobox 2. [7]
A homeobox is a DNA sequence, around 180 base pairs long, that regulates large-scale anatomical features in the early stages of embryonic development. For instance, mutations in a homeobox may change large-scale anatomical features of the full-grown organism.
Genes in the DLX family encode homeodomain transcription factors related to the Drosophiladistal-less(Dll) gene. The family has been related to a number of developmental features such as jaws and limbs. The family seems to be well preserved across species. As DLX/Dll are involved in limb development in most of the major phyla, including vertebrates, it has been suggested that Dll was involved in appendage growth in an early bilaterial ancestor.
Pre-B-cell leukemia transcription factor 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PBX1 gene.
Homeobox protein MSX-1, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MSX1 gene. MSX1 transcripts are not only found in thyrotrope-derived TSH cells, but also in the TtT97 thyrotropic tumor, which is a well differentiated hyperplastic tissue that produces both TSHß- and a-subunits and is responsive to thyroid hormone. MSX1 is also expressed in highly differentiated pituitary cells which until recently was thought to be expressed exclusively during embryogenesis. There is a highly conserved structural organization of the members of the MSX family of genes and their abundant expression at sites of inductive cell–cell interactions in the embryo suggest that they have a pivotal role during early development.
Homeobox protein MSX-2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MSX2 gene.
LIM/homeobox protein Lhx3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the LHX3 gene.
PBX/Knotted 1 Homeobox 1 (PKNOX1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PKNOX1 gene.
Homeobox protein DLX-5 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the distal-less homeobox 5 gene, or DLX5 gene. DLX5 is a member of DLX gene family.
Homeobox protein Hox-B1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXB1 gene.
Homeobox protein DLX-3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DLX3 gene.
Homeobox protein DLX-4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DLX4 gene.
Homeobox protein engrailed-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EN1 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-C11 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXC11 gene.
Homeobox protein Meis2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MEIS2 gene.
Homeobox protein DLX-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DLX1 gene.
Homeobox protein DLX-6 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DLX6 gene.
Homeobox protein Nkx-2.3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NKX2-3 gene.
LIM/homeobox protein Lhx2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the LHX2 gene.
Ventral anterior homeobox 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the VAX1 gene.
Homeobox protein Nkx-6.1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NKX6-1 gene.