PKNOX2 explained

PBX/Knotted 1 Homeobox 2 (PKNOX2) protein belongs to the three amino acid loop extension (TALE) class of homeodomain proteins, and is encoded by PKNOX2 gene in humans. The protein regulates the transcription of other genes and affects anatomical development.[1]

Function

PKNOX2 protein regulates expression of other genes by binding to DNA in a sequence-specific manner, i.e. to specific DNA sequences. It binds to unique DNA recognition motifs, acting as a nuclear transcription factor.[2] The nuclear transcription factor is a protein that regulates transcription of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA. Other functions of PKNOX2 include actin filament binding. An important paralog of the PKNOX2 gene is PKNOX1.

Structure

PKNOX2 belongs to the three amino acid loop extension (TALE) class of homeodomain proteins. This class is characterized by a 3-amino acid extension between alpha helix 1 and 2 in the homeodomain.

Homeodomain proteins are sequence-specific transcription factors that share a highly conserved DNA binding domain and play a crucial role in cell proliferation, differentiation and death.[3]

Clinical significance

In a 2014 review article of the genome-wide association findings of alcohol dependence, the researchers concluded that based on functional analysis (demonstration of a cause-effect relation),[4] genetic variants related to the PKNOX2 gene may play a role in alcohol dependence risk, albeit a minor role comparing to the role played by the genes located in the alcohol dehydrogenase cluster.[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Imoto I, Sonoda I, Yuki Y, Inazawa J . Identification and characterization of human PKNOX2, a novel homeobox-containing gene . Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications . 287 . 1 . 270–6 . September 2001 . 11549286 . 10.1006/bbrc.2001.5578 .
  2. Fognani C, Kilstrup-Nielsen C, Berthelsen J, Ferretti E, Zappavigna V, Blasi F . Characterization of PREP2, a paralog of PREP1, which defines a novel sub-family of the MEINOX TALE homeodomain transcription factors . Nucleic Acids Research . 30 . 9 . 2043–51 . May 2002 . 11972344 . 113854 . 10.1093/nar/30.9.2043 .
  3. Web site: PKNOX2 PBX/knotted 1 homeobox 2 - Gene - GTR - NCBI . www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov . 31 August 2020 . National Center for Biotechnology Information . Homeodomain proteins are sequence-specific transcription factors that share a highly conserved DNA-binding domain and play fundamental roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, and death. PKNOX2 belongs to the TALE (3-amino acid loop extension) class of homeodomain proteins characterized by a 3-amino acid extension between alpha helices 1 and 2 within the homeodomain.
  4. Iwata BA, Dozier CL . Clinical application of functional analysis methodology . Behavior Analysis in Practice . 1 . 1 . 3–9 . 2008 . 22477673 . 2846577 . 10.1007/BF03391714 .
  5. Zuo L, Lu L, Tan Y, Pan X, Cai Y, Wang X, Hong J, Zhong C, Wang F, Zhang XY, Vanderlinden LA, Tabakoff B, Luo X . Genome-wide association discoveries of alcohol dependence . The American Journal on Addictions . 23 . 6 . 526–39 . 2014 . 25278008 . 4187224 . 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2014.12147.x .

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