Sox14, a member of the SOXB2 subclass of transcription factors, is mainly involved in neural development [2,4,5]. It acts as a transcriptional modulator of cell proliferation and is essential for the initiation of neuronal differentiation in the chick spinal cord [2]. In addition, Sox14 may be associated with the regulation of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) signaling during Drosophila metamorphosis [6].

In cervical cancer, Sox14 methylation levels are significantly increased in cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. Hypermethylated Sox14 has the potential to be a biomarker for the screening and early diagnosis of cervical cancer [1]. Moreover, Sox14 promotes the proliferation and invasion of cervical cancer cells through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, while also activating the p53 signaling pathway to induce apoptosis in cervical carcinoma cell lines [4,5].

In the mouse cerebellum, Sox14 is an exclusive marker of specific inhibitory projection neurons, and ablation of Sox14+ cells leads to impaired motor learning [3]. In Drosophila, Sox14 is necessary and sufficient to mediate dendrite severing during pruning in response to ecdysone signaling [7].

In summary, Sox14 plays crucial roles in neural development, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and disease-related processes. Studies, including those using model organisms like chicks, mice, and Drosophila, have revealed its diverse functions in neuronal differentiation, motor learning, dendrite pruning, and as a potential biomarker and regulator in cervical cancer.