DLX3

Function

Dlx3 is a crucial regulator of hair follicle differentiation and cycling. Specifically, colocalization of phosphorylated Smad1 / 5 / 8 complex and Dlx3 regulate role for BMP signaling to Dlx3 during hair morphogenesis in animal models.

Many vertebrate homeo box-containing genes have been identified on the basis of their sequence similarity with Drosophila developmental genes. Members of the Dlx gene family contain a homeobox that is related to that of Distal-less (Dll), a gene expressed in the head and limbs of the developing fruit fly. The Distal-less (Dlx) family of genes comprises at least 6 different members, DLX1-DLX6. This gene is located in a tail-to-tail configuration with another member of the gene family on the long arm of chromosome 17.

Clinical significance

Mutations in this gene have been associated with the autosomal dominant conditions trichodentoosseous syndrome (TDO) and amelogenesis imperfecta with taurodontism.