NKX蛋白结构和功能的研究进展

Progress in Structure and Function of NKX Proteins

摘要

NKX蛋白是NKL同源框转录因子亚类中最主要的类型, 被发现广泛参与调控胚胎发育过程中的细胞命运决定与形体模式形成, 尤其对神经系统的发育影响甚广, 并参与甲状腺癌、肺癌、前列腺癌等多种肿瘤的发生。鉴于NKX蛋白在胚胎发育和肿瘤发生过程中的重要作用, 本文系统性综述了NKX同源框蛋白7个家族17个蛋白质的结构生物学、生理机制以及疾病相关性的研究进展, 为相关疾病的基因靶向治疗提供理论基础, 同时讨论了一些NKX基因缺乏组学研究和模式动物疾病模型构建等问题, 为今后的研究提供方向。

Abstract

NKX proteins are the most important type of NKL homeobox transcription factor subclass and have been found to be widely involved in regulating cell fate and body pattern formation during embryonic development, especially embryonic development of nervous system, and involved in the occurrence of thyroid cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer and other tumors. In view of the important roles of NKX proteins in embryonic development and tumorigenesis, the research progress of the structural properties, physiological mechanisms, and disease correlation of 17 proteins in the 7 NKX homeobox protein families were systemati-cally summarized, which would provide helpful information on gene targeted therapy of related diseases. In addition, the lack of genomics research and animal model construction of diseases related to some NKX genes were also discussed, which should be directions for future research.

关键词

NKX同源框蛋白 / 三维结构 / 生理机制 / 病理相关性

Key words

NKX homeobox protein / three-dimensional structure / physiological mechanism / pathological correlation