Progenitor cell fate, SOXC and WNT

the family of SOX transcription factors [1]. Overall, the SOX family has prominent roles in determining the lineage fate and differentiation of virtually all cell types in humans and animals, each member sponsoring a discrete set of lineages. Most SOX family members achieve their functions through transcriptional actions, and complement them with non-transcriptional interactions. For instance, SOX9 is necessary for and directly activates most genes defining the chondrocyte early program and it also binds to β-catenin to trigger the protein degradation and thereby dampens the anti-chondrogenic canonical WNT signaling. Recent studies, including our own, have started to reveal unique SOXC contributions to this pivotal SOX family mission. The SoxC genes widely overlap in expressio