This gene belongs to the homeobox family of genes. The homeobox genes encode a highly conserved family of transcription factors that play an important role in morphogenesis in all multicellular organisms. Mammals possess four similar homeobox gene clusters, HOXA, HOXB, HOXC and HOXD, located on different chromosomes, consisting of 9 to 11 genes arranged in tandem. This gene is one of several homeobox HOXD genes located at 2q31-2q37 chromosome regions. Deletions that removed the entire HOXD gene cluster or 5' end of this cluster have been associated with severe limb and genital abnormalities. The protein encoded by this gene may play a role in determining positional values in developing limb buds. Alternatively spliced variants have been described but their full length nature has not been determined.[3]
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Kosaki K, Kosaki R, Suzuki T, Yoshihashi H, Takahashi T, Sasaki K, Tomita M, McGinnis W, Matsuo N (2002). "Complete mutation analysis panel of the 39 human HOX genes". Teratology. 65 (2): 50–62. doi:10.1002/tera.10009. PMID11857506.
van Scherpenzeel Thim V, Remacle S, Picard J, Cornu G, Gofflot F, Rezsohazy R, Verellen-Dumoulin C (2006). "Mutation analysis of the HOX paralogous 4-13 genes in children with acute lymphoid malignancies: identification of a novel germline mutation of HOXD4 leading to a partial loss-of-function". Hum. Mutat. 25 (4): 384–95. doi:10.1002/humu.20155. PMID15776434.