Homeobox protein Hox-C6 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXC6 gene. [5] [6] [7] Hox-C6 expression is highest in the fallopian tube and ovary. [8] HoxC6 has been highly expressed in many types of cancers including prostate, breast, and esophageal squamous cell cancer. [9]
This gene belongs to the homeobox family, members of which encode a highly conserved family of transcription factors that play an important role in morphogenesis in all multicellular organisms. Mammals possess four similar homeobox gene clusters, HOXA, HOXB, HOXC and HOXD, which are located on different chromosomes and consist of 9 to 11 genes arranged in tandem. This gene, HOXC6, is one of several HOXC genes located in a cluster on chromosome 12. Three genes, HOXC5, HOXC4 and HOXC6, share a 5' non-coding exon. Transcripts may include the shared exon spliced to the gene-specific exons, or they may include only the gene-specific exons. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified for HOXC6. Transcript variant two includes the shared exon, and transcript variant one includes only gene-specific exons. [7] HOXC6 plays a role in lymphoma. The HOXC6 isoform, HOXC6-2 is an active carcinogenic for gastric cancer. It stimulates gastric cancer cells proliferation by acting as an oncogene. Downregulation of this gene’s isoforms could potentially lead to less proliferation of certain cancerous cells. With the HOXC6-1 isoform, there were no statistically significant effects on migration, invasion, apoptosis, or proliferation when it was downregulated. [10] According to a study in Cancer Cell International, suppression of the HOXC6 gene plays a role in blocking the TGF-β/SMAD cascade. This then leads to the weakening of epithelial to mesenchymal transition for the cervical carcinoma. [11]
A knockout model using small interfering RNA showed that knockout of HOXC6 was associated with apoptosis. Additionally, the presence of HOXC6 was associated with inhibition of paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. Thus, HOXC6 was demonstrated to induce proliferative activity. [12]
Homeobox protein Hox-B7 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXB7 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-B6 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXB6 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-B5 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXB5 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-C8 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXC8 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-B1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXB1 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-B2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXB2 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-B9 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXB9 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-D3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXD3 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-B3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXB3 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-C4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXC4 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-D9 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXD9 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-D4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXD4 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-C13 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXC13 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-B8 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXB8 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-C9 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXC9 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-D1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXD1 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-C5 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXC5 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-C10 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXC10 gene.
Homeobox protein Hox-C11 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXC11 gene.
Homeobox C12 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXC12 gene.
This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.