Roles for Msx and Dlx homeoproteins in vertebrate development

The document from April 1, 2000, reviews the roles of Msx and Dlx homeoproteins in vertebrate development, highlighting their importance in craniofacial, limb, tooth development, and central nervous system development. Msx genes are expressed in proliferating or dying cells and act as transcriptional repressors, while Dlx genes are found in differentiating regions and function as transcriptional activators. The review discusses the complementary or antagonistic functions of these genes, their involvement in patterning, morphogenesis, and histogenesis of tissues, and their regulation of cellular proliferation, differentiation, and death. It also covers the DNA-binding properties, transcriptional regulation, and protein-protein interactions of Msx and Dlx proteins, including their ability to form complexes with other homeoproteins and their role in transcriptional repression. The document concludes that Msx and Dlx genes are essential for various developmental processes and act as transcriptional regulators through specific DNA-binding sites and transcriptional activities.