Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
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HOX Loci Focused CRISPR/sgRNA Library Screening Identifying Critical CTCF Boundaries
Published on: March 31, 2019
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Cellular and molecular insights into Hox protein action
René Rezsohazy1, Andrew J Saurin2, Corinne Maurel-Zaffran2
1Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve B-1348, Belgium rene.rezsohazy@uclouvain.be yacine.graba@univ-amu.fr.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|March 26, 2015
Summary
Hox genes are crucial for development and evolution. This review explores how these transcription factors control cell functions and morphogenesis, highlighting their context-dependent activity and functional divergence.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Hox genes encode homeodomain transcription factors vital for morphogenesis.
- Their specific molecular mechanisms and controlled cellular functions remain areas of active research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on Hox-controlled cellular functions.
- To discuss how Hox proteins regulate morphogenesis and organogenesis.
- To summarize molecular mechanisms and functional divergence of Hox proteins.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on Hox gene function.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying transcription factor activity.
- Synthesis of current models of Hox protein function.
Main Results:
- Hox proteins exhibit versatile and context-dependent cellular activities.
- Examples illustrate Hox-driven control of morphogenesis and organogenesis.
- Molecular modalities and functional divergence contribute to diverse Hox actions.
Conclusions:
- Hox proteins play multifaceted roles in development and evolution.
- Understanding their context-dependent functions is key to deciphering morphogenesis.
- Functional divergence explains the diverse actions of Hox proteins.
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