Details for: BARX1

Gene ID: 56033

Gene Type:  Protein-coding  - A gene that serves as a template for producing a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, which is then translated into a functional protein.

Symbol: BARX1

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000131668

Description: BARX homeobox 1

Selected Context(s):  Overall

Cell Significance Landscape

Contexts:

Associated with

Significant Cells

Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores for the chosen context(s)

  • epithelial cell CL0000066
    CSI 3.45
    rCSI 5.31%
    PRS 99.16
  • pancreatic stellate cell CL0002410
    CSI 0.87
    rCSI 5.08%
    PRS 99.7

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this specific cell.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.
Network Configuration

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Other Information

This section provides additional information about the gene, including a description generated by an AI language model and details about associated proteins.

## Summary [BARX1](/details-gene/56033) (BARX homeobox 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 9q22.32 that encodes a homeobox transcription factor. As a member of the BarH-like family of homeodomain proteins, [BARX1](/details-gene/56033) plays a critical role in embryonic development, particularly in anterior/posterior pattern specification and the formation of the digestive system and spleen. Its primary function as a DNA-binding transcription factor involves the regulation of key signaling pathways, including Wnt signaling. **Overall**, expression data indicate that [BARX1](/details-gene/56033) is a highly significant gene in [epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0000066) populations, suggesting a fundamental role in establishing and maintaining epithelial cell identity and function. ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression profile of [BARX1](/details-gene/56033) highlights its specialized function within specific cell lineages. The gene shows its highest significance in [epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0000066) (CSI: 3.45), underscoring its importance as a potential regulator of epithelial tissue development and homeostasis. This is consistent with its established role in organogenesis, particularly of the stomach and spleen. Furthermore, [BARX1](/details-gene/56033) shows moderate significance in [pancreatic stellate cell](/details-cell/CL0002410) (CSI: 0.87). This expression in a mesenchymal cell type associated with epithelial organs suggests a potential role in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, which are crucial for tissue development and repair. The co-expression in both epithelial and associated stromal cells points towards a coordinated function in regulating organ architecture. ## Pathways and Molecular Function Functionally, [BARX1](/details-gene/56033) operates as a DNA-binding transcription factor, localizing to the [nucleus](/details-cell/GO:0005634) and [chromatin](/details-cell/GO:0000785) to regulate gene expression. Its molecular function is characterized by [DNA-binding transcription factor activity, RNA polymerase II-specific](/details-cell/GO:0000981). This regulatory activity is integral to several key biological processes: * **Developmental Patterning:** It is involved in [anterior/posterior pattern specification](/details-cell/GO:0009952) and the development of specific organs, including the [digestive system](/details-cell/GO:0055123) and [spleen](/details-cell/GO:0048536). Early studies demonstrated its essential role in organ morphogenesis, such as in tooth development, where signaling pathways it interacts with are critical ([Link](https://doi.org/10.1126/science.282.5391.1136)). * **Wnt Signaling:** [BARX1](/details-gene/56033) is a documented participant in the [Wnt signaling pathway](/details-cell/GO:0016055), where it often acts as a [negative regulator](/details-cell/GO:0030178). This function is critical for controlling cell fate decisions and proliferation during development. * **Cell Differentiation:** The gene is also associated with processes like [endothelial cell differentiation](/details-cell/GO:0045446), indicating a broader role in the development of vascularized organs. ## Research Directions The specific expression pattern and known functions of [BARX1](/details-gene/56033) prompt several avenues for future investigation, particularly concerning its role in disease. Its function as a developmental transcription factor suggests that its dysregulation in adult tissues could contribute to pathology, such as cancer or fibrosis. Based on the available data, several testable hypotheses can be proposed: 1. Given its high significance in [epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0000066) and its role in digestive system development, the loss of [BARX1](/details-gene/56033) expression in gastric or intestinal cancers may contribute to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor progression by de-repressing Wnt signaling. 2. The expression of [BARX1](/details-gene/56033) in [pancreatic stellate cell](/details-cell/CL0002410) suggests it may play a role in maintaining their quiescent state. Downregulation of [BARX1](/details-gene/56033) in the pancreas could be a key event in the activation of these cells, leading to fibrosis. To test the second hypothesis, a key experiment could involve the use of CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out [BARX1](/details-gene/56033) in primary human pancreatic stellate cells. Following knockout, cells could be treated with pro-fibrotic stimuli like TGF-β. The impact on stellate cell activation could be quantified by measuring the expression of activation markers (e.g., alpha-smooth muscle actin) and collagen production using qPCR, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting. From a therapeutic perspective, [BARX1](/details-gene/56033) itself is a challenging target as it is a transcription factor. However, if it proves to be a tumor suppressor or a negative regulator of fibrosis, strategies aimed at *activating* its expression or function could be beneficial. This might involve small molecules that stabilize the BARX1 protein or therapies that target its upstream regulators. Understanding the specific downstream genes it controls may also reveal more druggable targets for diseases characterized by its dysregulation.

Genular Protein ID: 100715306

Symbol: BARX1_HUMAN

Name: Homeobox protein BarH-like 1

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

Q9HBU1 Q6P2R4 Q96GH8

Database IDs:

AGR 1 AlphaFoldDB 1 Antibodypedia 1 BMRB 1 Bgee 1 BioGRID 1 BioGRID-ORCS 1 BioMuta 1 CCDS 1 CDD 1 CTD 1 DMDM 1 DNASU 1 DisGeNET 1 EMBL 5 Ensembl 2 EvolutionaryTrace 1 GO 13 Gene3D 1 GeneCards 1 GeneTree 1 GenomeRNAi 1 HGNC 1 HOGENOM 1 HPA 1 InParanoid 1 IntAct 1 InterPro 6 KEGG 1 MANE-Select 1 MIM 1 MINT 1 MassIVE 1 NCBI Taxonomy 1 OMA 1 OpenTargets 1 OrthoDB 1 PANTHER 2 PDB 1 PDBsum 1 PRINTS 2 PRO 1 PROSITE 2 PathwayCommons 1 PaxDb 1 PeptideAtlas 1 Pfam 1 PharmGKB 1 Pharos 1 PhosphoSitePlus 1 PhylomeDB 1 Proteomes 1 ProteomicsDB 2 RNAct 1 RefSeq 1 SMART 1 SMR 1 STRING 1 SUPFAM 1 SignaLink 1 TreeFam 1 UCSC 1 VEuPathDB 1 eggNOG 1 iPTMnet 1 jPOST 1 neXtProt 1

Citations:

PubMed ID: 10995576

Title: Cloning, characterization, localization, and mutational screening of the human BARX1 gene.

PubMed ID: 10995576

DOI: 10.1006/geno.2000.6307

PubMed ID: 15164053

Title: DNA sequence and analysis of human chromosome 9.

PubMed ID: 15164053

DOI: 10.1038/nature02465

PubMed ID: 15489334

Title: The status, quality, and expansion of the NIH full-length cDNA project: the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC).

PubMed ID: 15489334

DOI: 10.1101/gr.2596504

PubMed ID: 9804553

Title: Transformation of tooth type induced by inhibition of BMP signaling.

PubMed ID: 9804553

DOI: 10.1126/science.282.5391.1136

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 254
  • Mass: 27298
  • Checksum: 772C7C12F765C684
  • Sequence:
    • MQRPGEPGAA RFGPPEGCAD HRPHRYRSFM IEEILTEPPG PKGAAPAAAA AAAGELLKFG 
VQALLAARPF HSHLAVLKAE QAAVFKFPLA PLGCSGLSSA LLAAGPGLPG AAGAPHLPLE 
LQLRGKLEAA GPGEPGTKAK KGRRSRTVFT ELQLMGLEKR FEKQKYLSTP DRIDLAESLG 
LSQLQVKTWY QNRRMKWKKI VLQGGGLESP TKPKGRPKKN SIPTSEQLTE QERAKDAEKP 
AEVPGEPSDR SRED