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Published on: February 21, 2018
Hox genes in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis
B Argiropoulos1, R K Humphries
1Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Oncogene
|October 16, 2007
Summary
Clustered Hox genes are crucial for normal blood stem cell function and are implicated in leukemia development. These genes likely regulate the self-renewal of leukemic stem cells, contributing to cancer origins.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Clustered Hox genes play a role in normal hematopoiesis.
- Dysregulated HOX gene expression is observed in leukemia.
- Hox genes are involved in oncogenic fusion proteins and Mll fusions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Hox genes in hematopoietic stem cell function.
- To explore the link between Hox genes and leukemic stem cell self-renewal.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression analyses
- Gene targeting experiments
- Retroviral overexpression studies
- Murine bone marrow transplantation model
Main Results:
- Strong correlative evidence supports Hox gene involvement in normal hematopoiesis.
- Hox genes primarily affect hematopoietic stem cell function.
- Hox genes are linked to leukemic transformation and oncogenicity.
Conclusions:
- Hox genes are critical for both normal hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis.
- Hox-dependent pathways are closely associated with leukemic stem cell self-renewal.
- Further research into Hox genes could reveal new therapeutic targets for leukemia.
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