scholarly journals Hox Genes: Master Regulators of the Animal Bodyplan

Embryogenesis ◽  
10.5772/37007 ◽  
2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. Durston
Keyword(s):  
Hox Genes ◽  
Master Regulators

scholarly journals HOX genes in normal, engineered and malignant hematopoiesis

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 847-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma M. Collins ◽  
Alexander Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Hox Genes ◽  
Gene Dosage ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Continuous Model ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Hierarchical Tree ◽  
Developmental Models ◽  
Master Regulators ◽  
Epigenetic Modifiers ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Advanced technologies and models systems are improving our understanding of developmental processes. A primary example, hematopoiesis, classically represented by a hierarchical tree with a stem cell at the apex and more lineage restricted cells following each bifurcation has recently been shown to be capable of more adaptable fate decisions. Future research will identify key molecules underpinning this more adaptable or continuous model of hematopoiesis potentially leading to improved engineering of blood cells and therapies for malignant disease. The spatio-temporal, cell specific and exquisite reliance on gene dosage attributed to the HOX family promoted them as candidate master regulators of hierarchical hematopoiesis. Recent discoveries in the need to stimulate or retain HOX expression during engineered human hematopoiesis, supported by similar studies in mice and other developmental models, reinforces their importance at the single cell level. Likewise, dysregulation of HOX in single cells can result in blood cancers such as leukemia. It will be of interest to see what additional roles HOX family members and their regulators including morphogens, epigenetic modifiers and noncoding RNAs play in this evolving field and if these master regulators can be further harnessed for clinical benefit.

scholarly journals HOX Genes Family and Cancer: A Novel Role for Homeobox B9 in the Resistance to Anti-Angiogenic Therapies

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3299
Author(s):  
Serena Contarelli ◽  
Vita Fedele ◽  
Davide Melisi
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Hox Genes ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Mechanisms Of Resistance ◽  
Hallmarks Of Cancer ◽  
Master Regulators ◽  
Angiogenic Therapy ◽  
Pathological Angiogenesis ◽  
Novel Target ◽  
Primary Strategy

Angiogenesis is one of the hallmarks of cancer, and the inhibition of pro-angiogenic factors and or their receptors has become a primary strategy for cancer therapy. However, despite promising results in preclinical studies, the majority of patients either do not respond to these treatments or, after an initial period of response, they develop resistance to anti-angiogenic agents. Thus, the identification of a novel therapeutic target is urgently needed. Multiple mechanisms of resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy have been identified, including the upregulation of alternative angiogenic pathways and the recruitment of pro-angiogenic myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment. Homeobox containing (HOX) genes are master regulators of embryonic development playing a pivotal role during both embryonic vasculogenesis and pathological angiogenesis in adults. The importance of HOX genes during cancer progression has been reported in many studies. In this review we will give a brief description of the HOX genes and their involvement in angiogenesis and cancer, with particular emphasis on HOXB9 as a possible novel target for anti-angiogenic therapy. HOXB9 upregulation has been reported in many types of cancers and it has been identified as a critical transcription factor involved in resistance to anti-angiogenic drugs.

Why is a new journal dedicated to vascular biology required?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Madeddu
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Ischemia ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Vascular Tone ◽  
50Th Anniversary ◽  
Vascular Biology ◽  
Active Process ◽  
Master Regulators ◽  
Relaxing Factor ◽  
Tissue Healing ◽  
Endothelium Derived Relaxing Factor

The year 2018 marked the 110th anniversary of Goldmann’s discovery that vascularization is an active process in tissues1 and the 50th anniversary of the concomitant reports from Greenblatt and Shubik2 and Ehrmann and Knoth3 that soluble morphogenic factors are required for cancer angiogenesis. Many other radically transformative paradigms have been introduced in the last decades. To name a few, the molecular search for the identity of master regulators of vascular tone led to the discovery of the Endothelium-Derived Relaxing Factor (EDRF; i.e., NO4), while clinically inspired investigations led to the recognition of the pathophysiological relevance of neoangiogenesis in cancer and tissue healing. This brought about the proposal of blocking angiogenesis to halt tumor growth and stimulating angiogenesis to treat myocardial ischemia and heart failure5-7.

Dysregulation of HOX as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Breast Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji-Yeon Lee ◽  
Myoung Hee Kim
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Hox Genes ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Genome Structure ◽  
Control Cell ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Hox Protein

: HOX genes belong to the highly conserved homeobox superfamily, responsible for the regulation of various cellular processes that control cell homeostasis, from embryogenesis to carcinogenesis. The abnormal expression of HOX genes is observed in various cancers, including breast cancer; they act as oncogenes or as suppressors of cancer, according to context. In this review, we analyze HOX gene expression patterns in breast cancer and examine their relationship, based on the three-dimensional genome structure of the HOX locus. The presence of non-coding RNAs, embedded within the HOX cluster, and the role of these molecules in breast cancer have been reviewed. We further evaluate the characteristic activity of HOX protein in breast cancer and its therapeutic potential.

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