Analysis of homeobox gene action may reveal novel angiogenic pathways in normal placental vasculature and in clinical pregnancy disorders associated with abnormal placental angiogenesis.
Homeobox genes are essential for both the development of the blood and lymphatic vascular systems, as well as for their maintenance in the adult. Homeobox genes comprise an important family of transcription factors, which are characterised by a well conserved DNA binding motif; the homeodomain. The...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2014-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
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| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fphar.2014.00133/full |
| _version_ | 1818989860388601856 |
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| author | Padma eMurthi Padma eMurthi Mohamed eAbumaree Mohamed eAbumaree Bill eKalionis Bill eKalionis |
| author_facet | Padma eMurthi Padma eMurthi Mohamed eAbumaree Mohamed eAbumaree Bill eKalionis Bill eKalionis |
| author_sort | Padma eMurthi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Homeobox genes are essential for both the development of the blood and lymphatic vascular systems, as well as for their maintenance in the adult. Homeobox genes comprise an important family of transcription factors, which are characterised by a well conserved DNA binding motif; the homeodomain. The specificity of the homeodomain allows the transcription factor to bind to the promoter regions of batteries of target genes and thereby regulates their expression. Target genes identified for homeodomain proteins have been shown to control fundamental cell processes such as proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. We and others have reported that homeobox genes are expressed in the placental vasculature, but our knowledge of their downstream target genes is limited. This review highlights the importance of studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which homeobox genes and their downstream targets may regulate important vascular cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, and endothelial tube formation, which are essential for placental vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. A better understanding of the molecular targets of homeobox genes may lead to new therapies for aberrant angiogenesis associated with clinically important pregnancy pathologies, including fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T19:45:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9efe1476983c47a5a99c2dcb46616ebb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1663-9812 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T19:45:11Z |
| publishDate | 2014-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
| spelling | doaj.art-9efe1476983c47a5a99c2dcb46616ebb2022-12-21T19:28:26ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122014-06-01510.3389/fphar.2014.0013393351Analysis of homeobox gene action may reveal novel angiogenic pathways in normal placental vasculature and in clinical pregnancy disorders associated with abnormal placental angiogenesis.Padma eMurthi0Padma eMurthi1Mohamed eAbumaree2Mohamed eAbumaree3Bill eKalionis4Bill eKalionis5The University of MelbourneRoyal Women's HospitalKing Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesKing Abdullah International Medical Research CenterRoyal Women's HospitalUniversity of MelbourneHomeobox genes are essential for both the development of the blood and lymphatic vascular systems, as well as for their maintenance in the adult. Homeobox genes comprise an important family of transcription factors, which are characterised by a well conserved DNA binding motif; the homeodomain. The specificity of the homeodomain allows the transcription factor to bind to the promoter regions of batteries of target genes and thereby regulates their expression. Target genes identified for homeodomain proteins have been shown to control fundamental cell processes such as proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. We and others have reported that homeobox genes are expressed in the placental vasculature, but our knowledge of their downstream target genes is limited. This review highlights the importance of studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which homeobox genes and their downstream targets may regulate important vascular cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, and endothelial tube formation, which are essential for placental vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. A better understanding of the molecular targets of homeobox genes may lead to new therapies for aberrant angiogenesis associated with clinically important pregnancy pathologies, including fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fphar.2014.00133/fullEndothelial CellsPlacentaTranscription FactorsAngiogenesishomeobox genemicrovasculature |
| spellingShingle | Padma eMurthi Padma eMurthi Mohamed eAbumaree Mohamed eAbumaree Bill eKalionis Bill eKalionis Analysis of homeobox gene action may reveal novel angiogenic pathways in normal placental vasculature and in clinical pregnancy disorders associated with abnormal placental angiogenesis. Frontiers in Pharmacology Endothelial Cells Placenta Transcription Factors Angiogenesis homeobox gene microvasculature |
| title | Analysis of homeobox gene action may reveal novel angiogenic pathways in normal placental vasculature and in clinical pregnancy disorders associated with abnormal placental angiogenesis. |
| title_full | Analysis of homeobox gene action may reveal novel angiogenic pathways in normal placental vasculature and in clinical pregnancy disorders associated with abnormal placental angiogenesis. |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of homeobox gene action may reveal novel angiogenic pathways in normal placental vasculature and in clinical pregnancy disorders associated with abnormal placental angiogenesis. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of homeobox gene action may reveal novel angiogenic pathways in normal placental vasculature and in clinical pregnancy disorders associated with abnormal placental angiogenesis. |
| title_short | Analysis of homeobox gene action may reveal novel angiogenic pathways in normal placental vasculature and in clinical pregnancy disorders associated with abnormal placental angiogenesis. |
| title_sort | analysis of homeobox gene action may reveal novel angiogenic pathways in normal placental vasculature and in clinical pregnancy disorders associated with abnormal placental angiogenesis |
| topic | Endothelial Cells Placenta Transcription Factors Angiogenesis homeobox gene microvasculature |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fphar.2014.00133/full |
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