Modulated expression of human homeobox genes in differentiating intestinal cells.

Homeobox genes (View the MathML source genes) control segmentation and segment specificity in View the MathML source. View the MathML source genes have been detected in several species from insects to vertebrates. Differential and stage-related expression has been observed in human embryonic tissues as well. We have investigated whether the cell line Caco-2 and human adult intestine express View the MathML source genes. Caco-2 is a cell line derived from a human colon carcinoma and exhibits a spontaneous enterocytic differentiation after cellular confluency View the MathML source. At 7, 14 and 21 days after seeding we have found that View the MathML sourceand one View the MathML source gene hybridize to poly(A)+RNA in a stage-related fashion. Moreover, the 21 days pattern of hybridization resembles that one observed in adult small intestine. The Caco-2 cell line provides a model system that allows a detailed analysis of cellular factors controlling transcription and stability of View the MathML source gene products.