Int. J. Dev. Biol. 52: 9 - 20 (2008)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.072304al

Vol 52, Issue 1

PBX proteins: much more than Hox cofactors

Review | Published: 1 November 2007

Audrey Laurent, Réjane Bihan, Francis Omilli, Stéphane Deschamps and Isabelle Pellerin*

IGDR, UMR CNRS 6061, Génétique et Développement, IFR 140, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Rennes 1, France

Abstract

Pre-B cell leukaemia transcription factors (PBXs) were originally identified as Hox cofactors, acting within transcriptional regulation complexes to regulate genetic programs during development. Increasing amount of evidence revealed that PBX function is not restricted to a partnership with Hox or homeodomain proteins. Indeed, PBXs are expressed throughout murine embryonic development and are involved in several developmental pathways including Hox-independent mechanisms. This review summarizes what is known about PBX partnerships and proposes to position PBXs as central developmental factors whose role consists of integrating transduction signals, in order to regulate gene expression programs during development.

Keywords

PBX, Hox, homeodomain, cofactors