Back to your search result

Description

Transcription factor SOX-9 (UniProt P48436, also known SOX-9) is encoded by the SOX9 gene (Gene ID 6662) in human. SOX family of genes are related to the mammalian sex determining gene SRY. These genes contain sequences encoding for the HMG-box domains that mediate sequence-specific DNA binding. SOX genes encode transcriptional regulators involved in cell fate decision during development and the control of diverse developmental processes. The highly complex group of SOX genes cluster at about 40 genomic loci and at least 30 SOX genes have been identified. SOX-9 contains one HMG box DNA-binding domain and acts as a key regulator of developmental processes, including male sex determination, normal skeletal development, chondrogenesis, neurogenesis, and neural crest development. SOX-9 is acts downstream of sonic hedgehog signaling and is shown to be essential for the maintenance of multipotent neural stem cells in embryonic and adult central nervous system (CNS). It is not detected in neuroblasts of the adult subependymal zone (SEZ), however, it is expressed by transit amplifying cells and ependymal cells in the same region. SOX-9 is also shown to be essential for the 'switch' from neurogenesis to gliogenesis in caudal regions of the developing CNS. SOX-9 up-regulation is reported in cancers of various origins, including breast, colon, prostate, and lung, where its expression correlates with malignancy and patient survival. (Ref.: Scott, CE et al. (2010). Nat. Neurosci. 13(10): 1181-89).