PHOX2A Proteins

Protein Information

PHOX2A and PHOX2B (Paired mesoderm homeobox protein) are closely related, paired-homeodomain transcription factors that function as determinants of the noradrenergic phenotype during embryogenesis. PHOX2 proteins are crucial for the regulation of endogenous hydroxylases in neural crest cells and promote sympathetic neuron generation. Human PHOX2B contains one DNA binding homeobox domain and is required for the differentiation of all central and nonperipheral noradrenergic centers in the brain. In contrast, PHOX2A controls only the differentiation of the main noradrenergic center of the brain. Regulation of PHOX2 may have therapeutic utility in aging or disorders involving degeneration of noradrenergic neurons.

Synonyms

aristaless homeobox gene homolog; aristaless homeobox homolog; aristaless homeobox protein homolog; Arix; arix homeodomain protein; ARIX1 homeodomain protein; CFEOM2; FEOM2; NCAM2; paired like homeobox 2a; paired mesoderm homeobox 2a; Paired mesoderm homeobox protein 2A; paired-like homeobox 2a; Phox2; Phox2a; PHOX2A homeodomain protein; Pmx2; PMX2A