Homeobox protein Hox-B8 (HOXB8)

Homeobox protein Hox-B8 is a transcription factor encoded by the HOXB8 gene in humans. It contains a homeobox DNA-binding domain and is part of the Antp homeobox family, clustered on chromosome 17. HOXB8 regulates gene expression during embryonic development, providing positional identity to cells along the anterior-posterior axis. In the nervous system, loss of HOXB8 in bone marrow-derived microglia leads to compulsive grooming behavior in mice, resembling compulsive disorders in humans. Aberrant upregulation of HOXB8 is associated with several cancers, notably colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, where it promotes malignancy and poor prognosis. Regulation of HOXB8 also occurs post-transcriptionally via microRNAs, such as miR-196[1][2][3][5][6].

Other names

HOX2HOX2DHox-2.4Homeobox protein Hox-2.4Homeobox protein Hox-2Dhomeo box 2Dhomeo box B8[1][2][3]

Transcriptional regulation via sequence-specific DNA binding; subject to regulation by microRNAs (e.g., miR-196 mediates mRNA cleavage), MYC-driven super-enhancer activation in cancer[2]