In Drosophila melanogaster, the 'Polycomb' group (PcG) genes have been identified as repressors of gene expression. PcG proteins form a large multimeric, chromatin-associated protein complex.
General function
Nucleic acid binding, DNA binding, Transcription factor
Comment
The deduced RAE-28 protein shared several motifs and highly homologous regions with a Drosophila polyhomeotic protein. As the Drosophila polyhomeotic gene is involved in regulating morphogenesis, the rae-28 gene may participate in regulating early mammalian development.
Cellular localization
Nuclear
Comment
Ovarian function
Comment
Gunster et al. (1997) concluded that HPH1, HPH2, and BMI1 are part of a common, multimeric protein complex. Northern blot analysis revealed that HPH1 was expressed as 4.4- and 6-kb transcripts in several tissues, with the highest expression in thymus, testis, and ovary.