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 the regulation of cell adhesion processes.[3]
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Okubo Y, Hamada J, Takahashi Y, Tada M, Tsutsumida A, Furuuchi K, Aoyama T, Sugihara T, Moriuchi T (2002). "Transduction of HOXD3-antisense into human melanoma cells results in decreased invasive and motile activities". Clinical & Experimental Metastasis. 19 (6): 503–11. doi:10.1023/A:1020346211686. PMID12405287.
Boudreau NJ, Varner JA (Feb 2004). "The homeobox transcription factor Hox D3 promotes integrin alpha5beta1 expression and function during angiogenesis". The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 279 (6): 4862–8. doi:10.1074/jbc.M305190200. PMID14610084.
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