Homeobox protein Nkx-6.2 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 ''NKX6-2''

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 ...

. Nk6 homeobox 2

(''Nkx6.2'') is found on

chromosome A chromosome is a package of DNA containing part or all of the genetic material of an organism. In most chromosomes, the very long thin DNA fibers are coated with nucleosome-forming packaging proteins; in eukaryotic cells, the most import ...

10 in humans and on chromosome 7 in murine species. Expression of the ''Nkx6.2'' gene results in the Nkx6.2 transcription factor.

Tissue distribution

Its expression can be seen in the fetal brain, ventral portion of the

neural tube In the developing chordate (including vertebrates), the neural tube is the embryonic precursor to the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The neural groove gradually deepens as the neural folds become elevated, ...

, and the developing spinal cord during embryogenesis as well as in the adult brain. Expression was also found to be in germ cells of testes.

Function

''Nkx6.2'' is involved in the patterning of the

central nervous system The central nervous system (CNS) is the part of the nervous system consisting primarily of the brain, spinal cord and retina. The CNS is so named because the brain integrates the received information and coordinates and influences the activity o ...

during early embryo development. As this gene continues to be researched, newfound information suggests that it aids in human

oligodendrocyte Oligodendrocytes (), also known as oligodendroglia, are a type of neuroglia whose main function is to provide the myelin sheath to neuronal axons in the central nervous system (CNS). Myelination gives metabolic support to, and insulates the axons ...

maturation. It has also been found to be important in motor function stemming from spinal neuronal circuits.

Clinical significance

Disorders with this gene can result in Spastic Ataxia which is a disease characterized by possible neurological issues, impaired learning ability, and a hypomyelinated central nervous system. Another study has shown that methylation of Nkx6.2 can be correlated with renal cancer metastasis.

Research

A ''Nkx6.2'' knock-out mouse model showed abnormal motor ability thus corroborating that ''Nkx6.2'' plays a role in central nervous system development.

References

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