Homeobox gene-encoded transcription factors in development and mature circadian function of the rodent pineal gland.

Autor: Rath MF; Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Journal of pineal research [J Pineal Res] 2024 Apr; Vol. 76 (3), pp. e12950.
DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12950
Abstrakt: Homeobox genes encode transcription factors that are widely known to control developmental processes. This is also the case in the pineal gland, a neuroendocrine brain structure devoted to nighttime synthesis of the hormone melatonin. Thus, in accordance with high prenatal gene expression, knockout studies have identified a specific set of homeobox genes that are essential for development of the pineal gland. However, as a special feature of the pineal gland, homeobox gene expression persists into adulthood, and gene product abundance exhibits 24 h circadian rhythms. Recent lines of evidence show that some homeobox genes even control expression of enzymes catalyzing melatonin synthesis. We here review current knowledge of homeobox genes in the rodent pineal gland and suggest a model for dual functions of homeobox gene-encoded transcription factors in developmental and circadian mature neuroendocrine function.
(© 2024 The Authors. Journal of Pineal Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
Externí odkaz: