Homeobox TFs

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Unless otherwise stated all data on this page refer to the human proteins. Gene information is provided for human (Hs), mouse (Mm) and rat (Rn).

Overview

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Homeobox transcription factors contain a conserved 60-amino acid DNA-binding homeodomain that is encoded by a 180-base pair homeobox sequence. They are master regulators of expression of genes during early embryonic development, morphogenesis and cell differentiation, and are crucial for governing body structure and segment identity along the anterior-posterior axis.

Targets

3348

mesenchyme homeobox 1 Show summary »« Hide summary

Target Id

3348

Nomenclature

mesenchyme homeobox 1

Genes

Meox1 (Hs), MEOX1 (Hs), Meox1 (Rn)

Ensembl ID

ENSG00000005102 (Hs), ENSMUSG00000001493 (Mm), ENSRNOG00000020803 (Rn)

UniProtKB AC

P50221 (Hs), P32442 (Mm)

Inhibitors

ligustilide pK_d 5.2 [4]

Comment

MEOX1 is a HOXL subclass homeobox transcription factor. During embryogenesis it is involved in regulating somite and axial skeleton development [2-3,6]. Expression in nonembryonic tissues suggests a role in normal cell biology. Genetic alterations in MEOX1 has been associated with Klippel-Feil syndrome which is caused by failure in the normal segmentation of cervical vertebrae during early fetal development [1,5].

References

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1. Bayrakli F, Guclu B, Yakicier C, Balaban H, Kartal U, Erguner B, Sagiroglu MS, Yuksel S, Ozturk AR, Kazanci B et al.. (2013) Mutation in MEOX1 gene causes a recessive Klippel-Feil syndrome subtype. BMC Genet, 14: 95. [PMID:24073994]

2. Candia AF, Hu J, Crosby J, Lalley PA, Noden D, Nadeau JH, Wright CV. (1992) Mox-1 and Mox-2 define a novel homeobox gene subfamily and are differentially expressed during early mesodermal patterning in mouse embryos. Development, 116 (4): 1123-36. [PMID:1363541]

3. Candia AF, Wright CV. (1996) Differential localization of Mox-1 and Mox-2 proteins indicates distinct roles during development. Int J Dev Biol, 40 (6): 1179-84. [PMID:9032023]

4. Luan Q, Wang Z, Wang Y, Xu J, Wang G, Hu Z, Zhou J, Tian X, Zhao Y, Yao J. (2026) Ligustilide alleviates hepatic fibrosis by targeting the MEOX1–TEAD2 signaling axis. BJP, In press.

5. Mohamed JY, Faqeih E, Alsiddiky A, Alshammari MJ, Ibrahim NA, Alkuraya FS. (2013) Mutations in MEOX1, encoding mesenchyme homeobox 1, cause Klippel-Feil anomaly. Am J Hum Genet, 92 (1): 157-61. [PMID:23290072]

6. Stamataki D, Kastrinaki M, Mankoo BS, Pachnis V, Karagogeos D. (2001) Homeodomain proteins Mox1 and Mox2 associate with Pax1 and Pax3 transcription factors. FEBS Lett, 499 (3): 274-8. [PMID:11423130]

How to cite this family page

Database page citation:

Homeobox TFs. Accessed on 16/06/2026. IUPHAR/BPS Guide to PHARMACOLOGY, http://www.guidetopharmacology.org/GRAC/FamilyDisplayForward?familyId=1129.

Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY citation:

Alexander SPH, Gibb AJ, Kelly E, Mathie AA, Peach CJ, Veale EL, Cidlowski JA, Davenport AP, Fabbro D, Spedding M, Striessnig J, Armstrong JF, Buneman OP, Faccenda E, Harding SD, Southan C, Davies JA et al. (2025) The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2025/26: Introduction and Other Protein Targets. Br J Pharmacol. 182: S1-S23.