HOXB

HOXB refers to the B cluster of HOX genes in mammals, a subset of the homeobox gene family that encodes transcription factors essential for embryonic development. In humans, the HOXB cluster comprises a set of genes organized in a tight cluster on chromosome 17. These genes encode proteins containing a homeodomain, which binds DNA and regulates the expression of downstream target genes involved in cell fate specification and patterning along the anterior-posterior axis.

During development, HOXB genes are expressed in spatially and temporally distinct patterns, contributing to the formation of the hindbrain, spine, limbs, and other structures. Their expression is regulated by enhancers and epigenetic mechanisms; misregulation can lead to developmental anomalies.

In disease, HOXB genes can be dysregulated in cancers. Some members, such as HOXB7 and HOXB13, have been implicated in tumor progression and prognosis in various cancers. The HOXB13 gene, in particular, has a well-established association with hereditary prostate cancer risk through specific germline variants (e.g., G84E).

The HOXB cluster is studied alongside other HOX clusters (HOXA, HOXC, and HOXD) to understand conserved roles in patterning and development.