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. 1995 Jan 17;92(2):387–391. doi: 10.1073/pnas.92.2.387

A retinoic acid-triggered cascade of HOXB1 gene activation.

T Ogura 1, R M Evans 1
PMCID: PMC42745  PMID: 7831296

Abstract

Retinoic acid (RA) has been proposed to be a direct regulator of HOX gene complexes. However, the molecular mechanism of the RA signaling pathway during normal development is unclear. We have identified an RA-responsive element in the promoter of HOXB1 gene composed of two functionally separable sites: (i) a DR-2 sequence, which is the direct target of the RA receptor retinoid X receptor heterodimer; and (ii) a motif for an RA-inducible and tissue-specific coactivator termed retinoid-inducible protein. Through neither enhancer alone is functional, this combined element strongly activates the HOXB1 promoter in a cell-specific and retinoid-dependent manner. Finally, this activation is potentiated by a proximal autoregulatory site for HOXB1 gene itself. These data define a tripartite cascade leading to the establishment of HOXB1 gene activation.

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Selected References

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