Homeobox Protein B9 (HOXB9)

HOXB9 is a member of the Abd-B homeobox family and encodes a protein with a homeobox DNA-binding domain. It is included in a cluster of homeobox B genes located on chromosome 17. The encoded nuclear protein functions as a sequence-specific transcription factor that is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. Increased expression of this gene is associated with some cases of leukemia, prostate cancer and lung cancer.Classical models of craniofacial development argue that the neural crest is prepatterned or preprogrammed to make specific head structures before its migration from the neural tube. In contrast, recent studies in several vertebrates, including mouse, chick, and zebrafish, have provided evidence for plasticity in patterning neural crest populations.