Homeobox protein VENTX (VENTX)

Homeobox protein VENTX is a human transcription factor encoded by the VENTX gene, part of the Vent family of homeodomain-containing proteins[1][3][4][5]. It mainly acts as a transcriptional repressor and is involved in mesodermal patterning and hematopoietic stem cell maintenance. VENTX primarily functions in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of human hematopoietic and immune cells, especially promoting myeloid over lymphoid lineage commitment[2][4]. Aberrant high expression of VENTX has been observed in leukemic stem cell populations in acute myeloid leukemia, where it supports leukemic cell proliferation, while low or absent expression is seen in normal progenitor populations. VENTX also modulates tumor immunity by influencing tumor-associated macrophage polarization, promoting immune-stimulatory (M1-type) differentiation and potentially reversing immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment[2]. The gene is preserved in humans and primates but not found in rodents[2][4]. Multiple pseudogenes and alternative transcripts exist, including on chromosome X, where a transcribed pseudogene can generate a tumor antigen in melanoma patients[1][5].

Other names

HPX42BNA88AVENT homeobox homologVENT-like homeobox protein 2VENTX2hemopoietic progenitor homeobox protein VENTX2