The homeobox genes were first discovered in the early 1980s through studies on Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) mutations that caused body parts to develop in the wrong locations . This discovery highlighted the importance of homeobox genes in determining the body plan and segment identity during embryonic development .
HOXA9 is one of the genes located in the HOXA cluster on chromosome 7 in humans. It encodes a transcription factor that binds to specific DNA sequences, regulating the expression of target genes involved in cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis . The human recombinant HOXA9 protein is produced in E. coli and consists of 295 amino acids, including a 23 amino acid His-tag at the N-terminus . It has a molecular mass of approximately 32.6 kDa .
The recombinant HOXA9 protein is produced using proprietary chromatographic techniques to ensure high purity and stability . It is typically formulated in a buffer containing Tris-HCl, urea, and glycerol, and should be stored at -20°C for long-term stability . To prevent degradation, it is recommended to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles and to add a carrier protein for extended storage .