Open AccessEvidence for regulation of cartilage differentiation by the homeobox gene Hoxc-8
Author(s) -
Y. Gloria Yueh,
David P. Gardner,
Claudia Kappen
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.95.17.9956
Subject(s) - homeobox , hox gene , cartilage , chondrocyte , chondrogenesis , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , transgene , cellular differentiation , gene , genetics , transcription factor , anatomy
Homeobox genes of theHox class are required for proper patterning of skeletal elements, but how they regulate the differentiation of specific tissues is unclear. We show here that overexpression of aHoxc-8 transgene causes cartilage defects whose severity depends on transgene dosage. The abnormal cartilage is characterized by an accumulation of proliferating chondrocytes and reduced maturation. SinceHoxc-8 is normally expressed in chondrocytes, these results suggest thatHoxc-8 continues to regulate skeletal development well beyond pattern formation in a tissue-specific manner, presumably by controlling the progression of cells along the chondrocyte differentiation pathway. The comparison toHoxd-4 andIsl-1 indicates that this role in chondrogenesis is specific to proteins of the Hox class. Their capacity for regulation of cartilage differentiation suggests thatHox genes could also be involved in human chondrodysplasias or other cartilage disorders.