Two transcript variants encoding two different isoforms have been found for this gene, with only one of the isoforms containing the homeodomain region.[4]
Function
In vertebrates, the genes encoding the class of transcription factors called homeobox genes are found in clusters named A, B, C, and D on four separate chromosomes. Expression of these proteins is spatially and temporally regulated during embryonic development. This gene is part of the A cluster on chromosome 7 and encodes a DNA-binding transcription factor which may regulate gene expression, morphogenesis, and cellular differentiation. The homeobox protein Hox-A1 may be involved in the placement of hindbrain segments in the proper location along the anterior-posterior axis during development.[4]
Clinical significance
A common polymorphism in the HOXA1 gene is associated with a susceptibility to autism spectrum disorder, with individuals possessing these gene variant have an approximately doubled risk of developing the disorder.[5] Studies on knockout mice have indicated that the gene can alter embryological development of the brain stem (specifically the facial and superior olivary nuclei), as well as induce several other physical changes such as in ear shape.[6] Both of these sets of changes can also be seen in patients with autism.
Other HOXA1 mutations are associated with Bosley-Salih-Alorainy syndrome (BSAS) or the Athabascan brainstem dysgenesis syndrome (ABDS).[7]
↑Hong YS, Kim SY, Bhattacharya A, Pratt DR, Hong WK, Tainsky MA (July 1995). "Structure and function of the HOX A1 human homeobox gene cDNA". Gene. 159 (2): 209–14. doi:10.1016/0378-1119(95)92712-G. PMID7622051.
↑Apiou F, Flagiello D, Cillo C, Malfoy B, Poupon MF, Dutrillaux B (1996). "Fine mapping of human HOX gene clusters". Cytogenetics and Cell Genetics. 73 (1–2): 114–5. doi:10.1159/000134320. PMID8646877.
Chariot A, Moreau L, Senterre G, Sobel ME, Castronovo V (October 1995). "Retinoic acid induces three newly cloned HOXA1 transcripts in MCF7 breast cancer cells". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 215 (2): 713–20. doi:10.1006/bbrc.1995.2522. PMID7488013.
Studer M, Gavalas A, Marshall H, Ariza-McNaughton L, Rijli FM, Chambon P, Krumlauf R (March 1998). "Genetic interactions between Hoxa1 and Hoxb1 reveal new roles in regulation of early hindbrain patterning". Development. 125 (6): 1025–36. PMID9463349.
Green NC, Rambaldi I, Teakles J, Featherstone MS (May 1998). "A conserved C-terminal domain in PBX increases DNA binding by the PBX homeodomain and is not a primary site of contact for the YPWM motif of HOXA1". The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 273 (21): 13273–9. doi:10.1074/jbc.273.21.13273. PMID9582372.
Barrow JR, Capecchi MR (November 1999). "Compensatory defects associated with mutations in Hoxa1 restore normal palatogenesis to Hoxa2 mutants". Development. 126 (22): 5011–26. PMID10529419.
Li J, Tabor HK, Nguyen L, Gleason C, Lotspeich LJ, Spiker D, Risch N, Myers RM (Jan 2002). "Lack of association between HoxA1 and HoxB1 gene variants and autism in 110 multiplex families". American Journal of Medical Genetics. 114 (1): 24–30. doi:10.1002/ajmg.1618. PMID11840501.
Kosaki K, Kosaki R, Suzuki T, Yoshihashi H, Takahashi T, Sasaki K, Tomita M, McGinnis W, Matsuo N (February 2002). "Complete mutation analysis panel of the 39 human HOX genes". Teratology. 65 (2): 50–62. doi:10.1002/tera.10009. PMID11857506.
Devlin B, Bennett P, Cook EH, Dawson G, Gonen D, Grigorenko EL, McMahon W, Pauls D, Smith M, Spence MA, Schellenberg GD (August 2002). "No evidence for linkage of liability to autism to HOXA1 in a sample from the CPEA network". American Journal of Medical Genetics. 114 (6): 667–72. doi:10.1002/ajmg.10603. PMID12210285.
Rodier PM (2003). "Converging evidence for brain stem injury in autism". Development and Psychopathology. 14 (3): 537–57. doi:10.1017/s0954579402003085. PMID12349873.
Zhang X, Zhu T, Chen Y, Mertani HC, Lee KO, Lobie PE (February 2003). "Human growth hormone-regulated HOXA1 is a human mammary epithelial oncogene". The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 278 (9): 7580–90. doi:10.1074/jbc.M212050200. PMID12482855.
Conciatori M, Stodgell CJ, Hyman SL, O'Bara M, Militerni R, Bravaccio C, Trillo S, Montecchi F, Schneider C, Melmed R, Elia M, Crawford L, Spence SJ, Muscarella L, Guarnieri V, D'Agruma L, Quattrone A, Zelante L, Rabinowitz D, Pascucci T, Puglisi-Allegra S, Reichelt KL, Rodier PM, Persico AM (February 2004). "Association between the HOXA1 A218G polymorphism and increased head circumference in patients with autism". Biological Psychiatry. 55 (4): 413–9. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2003.10.005. PMID14960295.