這個基因屬于同源盒基因家族。同源盒基因編碼一個高度保守的轉錄因子家族，在多細胞生物的形態發生中起著重要作用哺乳動物有四個相似的同源盒基因簇，HOXA、HOXB、HOXC和HOXD，它們位于不同的染色體上，由9到11個串聯排列的基因組成這個基因是位于2號染色體上一個簇中的幾個同源盒HOXD基因之一。刪除整個HOXD基因簇或該簇5'端的缺失與嚴重的肢體和生殖器異常有關。小鼠Hoxd11基因產物在前肢形態發生中起一定作用[由RefSeq提供，2008年7月]
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, located on different chromosomes, consisting of 9 to 11 genes arranged in tandem. This gene is one of several homeobox HOXD genes located in a cluster on chromosome 2. Deletions that remove the entire HOXD gene cluster or the 5' end of this cluster have been associated with severe limb and genital abnormalities. The product of the mouse Hoxd11 gene plays a role in forelimb morphogenesis. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]