Homeobox protein Hox-C8 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HOXC8 gene.

This gene belongs to the homeobox family of genes. The homeobox genes encode a highly conserved family of transcription factors that play an important role in morphogenesis in all multicellular organisms. Mammals possess four similar homeobox gene clusters, HOXA, HOXB, HOXC and HOXD, which are located on different chromosomes and consist of 9 to 11 genes arranged in tandem. This gene is one of several homeobox HOXC genes located in a cluster on chromosome 12. The product of this gene may play a role in the regulation of cartilage differentiation. It could also be involved in chondrodysplasias or other cartilage disorders. HOXC8 was found to have activity in promoting nerve growth and its expression is dysregulated in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1.

HOXC8 has been shown to interact with Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 6 and Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 1.

This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.