Hox proteins: sculpting body parts by activating localized cell death

Curr Biol. 2002 Nov 19;12(22):R776-8. doi: 10.1016/s0960-9822(02)01291-5.

Abstract

Hox proteins shape animal structures by eliciting different developmental programs along the anteroposterior body axis. A recent study reveals that the Drosophila Hox protein Deformed directly activates the cell-death-promoting gene reaper to maintain the boundaries between distinct head segments.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Death / physiology
  • Drosophila / anatomy & histology*
  • Drosophila / genetics
  • Drosophila / physiology*
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / physiology
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / physiology*
  • Insect Hormones / genetics
  • Insect Hormones / physiology

Substances

  • Dfd protein, Drosophila
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Insect Hormones