Homeobox and leucine zipper protein Homez (HOMEZ)

Homeobox and leucine zipper protein Homez (HOMEZ) is a vertebrate transcription factor that encodes a protein with an unusual structure, including three atypical homeodomains and two leucine zipper-like motifs, as well as an acidic domain[1][2][3]. It is ubiquitously expressed in human and mouse tissues, though expression is more restricted during mouse development[1]. HOMEZ binds DNA and likely functions as a transcriptional regulator, either activating or repressing gene expression via its homeodomains and leucine zipper domains, and has been classified as a member of a distinct subset of homeodomain-containing proteins along with members of the ZHX family[1][2][3][6]. Currently, there is no evidence that HOMEZ is a direct therapeutic target or that any drugs interact with it. Some genetic associations exist with rare syndromes (such as Joubert syndrome 18 and Ebstein anomaly)[3], but its precise roles in disease are not well characterized.

Other names

Homeodomain leucine zipper-containing factorKIAA1443homeodomain leucine zipper-encoding genehomeobox and leucine zipper encoding