Having it both ways: Sox protein function between conservation and innovation

• Published in: Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS 2008-10, Vol.65 (19), p.3000-3018
• Main Authors: Guth, S. I. E, Wegner, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Bone and Bones - embryology; Bone and Bones - physiology; Cell Biology; Central Nervous System - embryology; Central Nervous System - growth & development; Central Nervous System - physiology; Embryonic Development - physiology; evolution; Genes; Gonads - embryology; Gonads - growth & development; Gonads - physiology; high-mobility-group; Humans; Life Sciences; Molecular biology; multicellularity; Multigene Family; Phylogeny; Proteins; redundancy; Review; Sox; speciesspecificity; Sry; Studies; Transcription factor; Transcription Factors - classification; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - metabolism
• ISSN: 1420-682X; 1420-9071
• DOI: 10.1007/s00018-008-8138-7

Transcription factors of the Sox family arose around the advent of multicellularity in animals, arguing that their ability to regulate the expression of extracellular matrix, cell adhesion and signaling molecules may have been instrumental in the generation of metazoans. In particular, during vertebrate evolution, the Sox family experienced a phase of expansion that led to the appearance of groups of highly homologous Sox proteins and the division of existing Sox protein functions among group members. It furthermore allowed Sox transcription factors to acquire numerous novel functions. These past events of subfunctionalization and neofunctionalization can still be recognized today in all groups of the Sox family. They have led to partial functional redundancies, but also to interesting species-specific variations in the developmental roles of Sox proteins as shown here for the SoxB and the SoxE groups.