HOXC8 polyclonal antibody

HoxC8 (Homeobox protein Hox-C8, Hox-3A) is a 242 amino acid protein encoded by the human gene HOXC8. HoxC8 belongs to the Antp homeobox family and contains one homeobox DNA-binding domain. The Hox proteins play a role in development and cellular differentiation by regulating downstream target genes. Specifically, the Hox proteins direct DNA-protein and protein-protein interactions that assist in determining the morphologic features associated with the anterior-posterior body axis. Homeobox region 3 contains at least seven homeoboxes within 160 kb of DNA. Overexpression of the HOXC8 transgene causes cartilage defects, the severity of which depends upon transgene dosage. This abnormal cartilage is characterized by an accumulation of proliferating chondrocytes and reduced maturation. Since HoxC8 is normally expressed in chondrocytes, it may be responsible for skeletal development other than pattern formation in a tissue-specific manner, hypothetically by controlling the progression of cells along the chondrocyte differentiation pathway.