Review article on Hox protein function
Our lab in Ibdml Marseille published a new review article on Hox protein function ,which is currently online and print issue will be released in may ( It also happens to be on the cover of May issue) This review is an effort to better understand molecular mechanism employed by Hox proteins while performing their biological functions. Here my colleagues looked into the sequences of Hox proteins from main evolutionary branches of bilateria, which includes lophotrochozoa (capitella) ,Ecdysozoa (Tribolium) and humans, amphioxus from Deuterostomia.
The complete analysis of sequences resulted into four classes of Hox protein signatures, which goes on to support in explaining how different Hox proteins vary in their control and function.The evolutionary conserved homeodomain and regions flanking on its either side constitute nearly all four vital signatures.
The first level of hox protein signatures deals with the special amino acids specific for only homeodomain of Hox proteins and not conserved in non-hox proteins, remember that not all homeodomain containing proteins are HOX proteins. Second level deals with paralog specific signatures among Hox genes .Here he review takes a detail look into unique paralog signatures and its role in contacting DNA and other proteins (co factors). Common paralog and species specific signatures form the third and fourth level respectively.
So far not all these four signatures are dissected functionally and further studies concerning functional validation of vital signatures will definitely help our understanding about Hox protein function. These signatures which were subject to rapid evolutionary changes ,contributed to specification of hox protein function and subsequently in evolutionary diversification of hox transcriptional activities.
Reference:
Classification of sequence signatures: a guide to Hox protein function.
Merabet S, Hudry B, Saadaoui M, Graba Y.
Bioessays. 2009
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