Genetic control of cellular proliferation and differentiation
Genes such as homeobox-containing genes and zinc finger genes which express during early post-implantation development have been suggested to be involved in the control of pattern formation, cell migration and differentiation. Several novel genes which were isolated from cancer cells or adult tissues were found to express only in a limited set of fetal tissues, suggesting that these genes are also involved in the development of the embryo.
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To examine the functions of these genes, various gene probes and gene sequences have been synthesized and employed in the detection of gene expression, gene transfer and in situ knock-out experiments.
Genes that have been found to be involved in regulating cellular proliferation and differentiation may play roles in both development and cancer formation. With the use of transgenic techniques and various knockout methods to down-regulate gene expression, genes involved in embryogenesis and carcinogenesis have been identified. The localization of the gene products and their biological functions are being studied in both developing embryos and human cancers.