Homeobox protein Hox-C4 (HOXC4)

Homeobox protein Hox-C4 (HOXC4) is a member of the homeobox family of transcription factors that are essential for morphogenesis and development in multicellular organisms. HOXC4 is encoded by the HOXC4 gene on human chromosome 12, forming part of the HOXC gene cluster. It functions by binding DNA in a sequence-specific manner to regulate gene expression, providing positional identity along the anterior-posterior axis during development. In adults, HOXC4 regulates immune mechanisms by directly activating the AID gene for class switch recombination in B cells, and is implicated in oncogenesis—its overexpression promotes proliferation, glycolysis, and mobility of cancer cells (notably in pancreatic, gastric, hepatocellular carcinoma, and glioma). Dysregulation of HOXC4 is associated with poor prognosis in several cancer types and immune disorders. Downstream, it influences key cell cycle, apoptosis, and metabolic pathways.

Other names

HOXC4HOX3EHomeobox protein CP19Homeobox protein Hox-3EHOX3cp19homeo box 3Ehomeobox protein CP19homeobox protein Hox-3E

Drugs targeting HOXC4 would theoretically act by modulating transcriptional programs controlling cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation; mechanisms may involve influencing glycolytic enzymes or immune functions if such drugs are developed