Msh Homeobox Protein 1 (MSX1)

MSX1 encodes a member of the muscle segment homeobox gene family. The encoded protein functions as a transcriptional repressor during embryogenesis through interactions with components of the core transcription complex and other homeoproteins. It may also have roles in limb-pattern formation, craniofacial development, particularly odontogenesis, and tumor growth inhibition.

Approximately 9% of the myotubes cleaved to produce either smaller multinucleated myotubes or proliferating, mononucleated cells.These results suggested that terminally differentiated mammalian myotubes can dedifferentiate when stimulated with the appropriate signals and that MSX1 can contribute to the dedifferentiation process.