Cdx2

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

caudal type homeobox transcription factor 2
Identifiers
Symbol	CDX2
HUGO	1806
Entrez	1045
OMIM	600297
RefSeq	NM_001265
UniProt	Q5VTU7
Other data
Locus	Chr. 13 q12.3

Cdx2 (sequence ID NM_007673) is the gene that directs early embryogenesis in mice. It is required to form the placenta. This gene (or, more specifically, the equivalent gene in humans) has come up in the proposal by the President's Council on Bioethics, as a solution to the stem cell controversy. According to one of the plans put forth, by deactivating the gene, it would not be possible for a properly organized embryo to form, thus providing stem cells without requiring the destruction of an embryo.

Other genes that have been proposed for this purpose include Hnf4, which is required for gastrulation.

[edit] External links

• Official proposal on www.bioethics.gov by William Hurlbut
• Slate.com article on proposed use of gene in stem cell controversy
• gene link on Cancer.gov
• Article on Cdx2 and early cell fate in mouse embryo