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Homeosis and polyposis: A tale from the mouse
Author(s) -
He TongChuan,
Da Costa Luis T.,
Thiagalingam Sam
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.950190705
Subject(s) - cdx2 , homeotic gene , biology , homeobox , homeobox a1 , phenotype , morphogenesis , genetics , gene , carcinogenesis , embryo , embryogenesis , cancer research , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression
Homeobox genes play essential roles in specifying the fates of different cell types during embryogenesis. In Drosophila , the homeotic gene caudal is important for the generation of posterior structures. In the mouse, the caudal homologue Cdx2 has been implicated in directing early processes in intestinal morphogenesis and in the maintenance of the differentiated phenotype. A recent study showed that Cdx2 null mutation was embryonically lethal, whereas Cdx2 +/− mice developed multiple intestinal polyps in the proximal colon in addition to developmental defects (1) . There are striking phenotypic similarities and differences between Cdx2 +/− and other mice predisposed to intestinal neoplasia. The possible role of Cdx2 in human colorectal tumorigenesis is discussed.