Thyroid-specific transcription factors and their roles in thyroid cancer

Abstract

Homeodomain, forkhead domain, and paired domain-containing transcription factors play a major role in development, tissuespecific gene expression, and tissue homeostasis in organs where they are expressed. Recently, their roles in stem cell and cancer biology are emerging. In the thyroid, NKX2-1, FOXE1, and PAX8 transcription factors are responsible for thyroid organogenesis and expression of thyroid-specific genes critical for thyroid hormone synthesis. In contrast to their known roles in gene regulation, thyroid development and homeostasis, their involvement in stem cell, and/or cancer biology are still elusive. In order to further understand the nature of thyroid cancer, it is critical to determine their roles in thyroid cancer. Copyright © 2011 Shioko Kimura.