brachyury


brachyury

An embryonic nuclear transcription factor encoded by T gene within the T-box complex of genes on chromosome 6q27, which binds to the palindromic T site on DNA. Brachyury effects transcription of genes required for mesoderm formation and differentiation, mediates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and is localised to notochord-derived cells.
Molecular pathology
Brachyury is the definitive diagnostic marker of chordoma, a malignancy arising from remnant notochordal cells in the vertebrae; germline duplication of brachyury confers susceptibility to chordoma. It is overexpressed in various cancers and promotes invasion.