HOX基因是同源异形盒基因家族的一个亚家族,在进化上高度保守。 HOX基因编码的蛋白是一类重要的转录因子,在胚胎发育中调节多个过程,包括细胞的生长、分化、凋亡、运动和血管生成等。近年来的研究发现, HOX基因的异常表达与恶性肿瘤密切相关。我们就有关HOX基因在肿瘤发生发展中的研究进展进行以下综述。
HOX gene belongs to a highly conserved subgroup of the homeobox superfamily .The HOX genes constitute a family of transcription factors that play key roles in embryonic development , regulating numerous processes , such us cellular growth, differentiation, apoptosis, motility and angiogenesis.The present review shows that there is a close relationship between aberrant expression of HOX genes and malignancy .This article summarizes briofly the advances in the research on HOX genes and their roles in tumor genesis .