Editing Homeobox (section)

==Biological function==

Homeodomain proteins function as [[Transcription factor|transcription factors]] due to the DNA binding properties of the conserved HTH motif. Homeodomain proteins are considered to be master control genes, meaning that a single protein can regulate expression of many target genes. Homeodomain proteins direct the formation of the body axes and body structures during [[Embryogenesis|early embryonic development]].<ref name="pmid13576283">{{cite journal | vauthors = Corsetti MT, Briata P, Sanseverino L, Daga A, Airoldi I, Simeone A, Palmisano G, Angelini C, Boncinelli E, Corte G | title = Differential DNA binding properties of three human homeodomain proteins | journal = Nucleic Acids Research | volume = 20 | issue = 17 | pages = 4465–72 | date = September 1992 | pmid = 1357628 | pmc = 334173 | doi = 10.1093/nar/20.17.4465 }}</ref> Many homeodomain proteins induce [[cellular differentiation]] by initiating the cascades of coregulated genes required to produce individual [[Biological tissue|tissues]] and [[Organ (anatomy)|organs]]. Other proteins in the family, such as [[Homeobox protein NANOG|NANOG]] are involved in maintaining [[pluripotency]] and preventing cell differentiation.