Downstream of the HOX genes: Explaining conflicting tumour suppressor and oncogenic functions in cancer.

Morgan, Richard, Hunter, Keith ORCID: 0000-0002-7873-0877 and Pandha, Hardev S (2022) Downstream of the HOX genes: Explaining conflicting tumour suppressor and oncogenic functions in cancer. International journal of cancer, 150 (12). pp. 1919-1932.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ijc.33949

Abstract

The HOX genes are a highly conserved group of transcription factors that have key roles in early development, but which are also highly expressed in most cancers. Many studies have found strong associative relationships between the expression of individual HOX genes in tumours and clinical parameters including survival. For the majority of HOX genes, high tumour expression levels seem to be associated with a worse outcome for patients, and in some cases, this has been shown to result from the activation of pro-oncogenic genes and pathways. However, there are also many studies that indicate a tumour suppressor role for some HOX genes, sometimes with conclusions that contradict earlier work. In this review, we have attempted to clarify the role of HOX genes in cancer by focusing on their downstream targets as identified in studies that provide experimental evidence for their activation or repression. On this basis, the majority of HOX genes would appear to have a pro-oncogenic function, with the notable exception of HOXD10, which acts exclusively as a tumour suppressor. HOX proteins regulate a wide range of target genes involved in metastasis, cell death, proliferation and angiogenesis, and activate key cell signalling pathways. Furthermore, for some functionally related targets, this regulation is achieved by a relatively small subgroup of HOX genes.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	HOX, oncogene, PBX, tumour suppressor
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	23 May 2022 09:28
Last Modified:	05 May 2023 10:55
DOI:	10.1002/ijc.33949
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.33949
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3155335