HOPX: The Unusual Homeodomain-Containing Protein.

Authors :: Mariotto A
Pavlova O
Park HS
Huber M
Hohl D
Source :: The Journal of investigative dermatology [J Invest Dermatol] 2016 May; Vol. 136 (5), pp. 905-911. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Mar 23.
Publication Year :: 2016
Abstract: The homeodomain-only protein homeobox (HOPX) is the smallest known member of the homeodomain-containing protein family, atypically unable to bind DNA. HOPX is widely expressed in diverse tissues, where it is critically involved in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation. In human skin, HOPX controls epidermal formation through the regulation of late differentiation markers, and HOPX expression correlates with the level of differentiation in cutaneous pathologies. In mouse skin, Hopx was additionally identified as a lineage tracing marker of quiescent hair follicle stem cells. This review discusses current knowledge of HOPX structure and function in normal and pathological conditions.<br /> (Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)