The Pbx Interaction Motif of Hoxa1 Is Essential for Its Oncogenic Activity
2011

The Importance of Hoxa1's Hexapeptide for Its Oncogenic Activity

publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Delval Stéphanie, Taminiau Arnaud, Lamy Juliette, Lallemand Cécile, Gilles Christine, Noël Agnès, Rezsohazy René

Primary Institution: Molecular and Cellular Animal Embryology Group, Life Sciences Institute (ISV), Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Hypothesis

The hexapeptide motif of Hoxa1 is essential for its oncogenic activity.

Conclusion

The hexapeptide motif of Hoxa1 is required for its oncogenic potential, as mutations impair its ability to stimulate cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth.

Supporting Evidence

  • The Hoxa1 protein mutated in its hexapeptide has lost the ability to stimulate mammary cells proliferation.
  • Clones expressing Hoxa1WT and Hoxa1I-V grew twice as fast as those expressing Hoxa1WM-AA.
  • Hoxa1WM-AA expressing cells showed contact inhibition, unlike Hoxa1WT and Hoxa1I-V.

Takeaway

Hoxa1 is a protein that helps cells grow, but if you change a tiny part of it, it can't help cells grow anymore, which is important for understanding cancer.

Methodology

The study involved generating stable MCF7 cell clones expressing different Hoxa1 variants and performing assays to evaluate cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, and foci formation.

Limitations

The study primarily focused on in vitro experiments, which may not fully replicate in vivo conditions.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0025247

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