Iroquois-class homeodomain protein IRX-5, also known as Iroquois homeobox protein 5, is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''IRX5''
gene
In biology, the word gene has two meanings. The Mendelian gene is a basic unit of heredity. The molecular gene is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is transcribed to produce a functional RNA. There are two types of molecular genes: protei ...
.
Function
IRX5 is a member of the
Iroquois homeobox gene family. Members of this family appear to play multiple roles during pattern formation of vertebrate embryos.
First described in a 2012 study by
Reversade and colleagues, the loss of IRX5 in humans causes Hamamy Syndrome, a recessive developmental disorder mainly affecting the heart, long bones, and craniofacial structures.
References
Further reading
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