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Structural and Chemical Biology @ Vanderbilt University |
Structural Characterization of HoxA11
Members:Laura Mizoue, Carie Fortenberry
Collaborators: Gunther Wagner, Vincent Lynch (Yale University)
all research projects
The Hox genes encode a family of transcription factors that play essential roles in morphogenesis and patterning of the body axis. HoxA11 is one of 39 mammalian Hox proteins. It is expressed late in embryogenesis and is implicated in development of posterior domains including paired appendages, kidneys and female reproductive organs. Sequence analysis of HoxA11 reveals a highly conserved homeodomain located at the C-terminus. The rest of the protein, however, shows a low level of secondary structure, large stretches of disordered regions, and no easy detectable similarity to any fold in the PDB. We are pursing structural elucidation of HoxA11 since further insights into its biological function cannot be gained by modeling approaches and solving the structure will potentially reveal an interesting new fold.
Comparative model of the HoxA11 homeodomain based on the crystal structure of HoxA9 (1pufA)
Members:Laura Mizoue, Carie Fortenberry
Collaborators: Gunther Wagner, Vincent Lynch (Yale University)
all research projects
The Hox genes encode a family of transcription factors that play essential roles in morphogenesis and patterning of the body axis. HoxA11 is one of 39 mammalian Hox proteins. It is expressed late in embryogenesis and is implicated in development of posterior domains including paired appendages, kidneys and female reproductive organs. Sequence analysis of HoxA11 reveals a highly conserved homeodomain located at the C-terminus. The rest of the protein, however, shows a low level of secondary structure, large stretches of disordered regions, and no easy detectable similarity to any fold in the PDB. We are pursing structural elucidation of HoxA11 since further insights into its biological function cannot be gained by modeling approaches and solving the structure will potentially reveal an interesting new fold.
Comparative model of the HoxA11 homeodomain based on the crystal structure of HoxA9 (1pufA)