Primary structure and embryonic expression pattern of the mouse Hox-4.3 homeobox gene.
We report the cloning, genomic localization, primary structure and developmental expression pattern of the novel mouse Hox-4.3 gene. This gene is located within the HOX-4(5) complex, at a position which classifies it as a member of the Hox-3.1 and -2.4 subfamily, the DNA and predicted protein sequences further confirmed this classification. Hox-4.3 has a primary structure characteristic of a Hox gene but, in addition, contains several monotonic stretches of amino acids, one of the 'paired'-like type. As expected from its presence and position within the complex. Hox-4.3 is developmentally expressed in structures of either mesodermal or neurectodermal origin located or derived from below a precise craniocaudal level. However, a very important offset between anteroposterior boundaries within neuroectoderm versus mesoderm derivatives is observed. Like other genes of the HOX-4(5) complex, Hox-4.3 is expressed in developing limbs and gonads, suggesting that 'cluster specificity' could be a feature of the HOX network.
Izpisùa-Belmonte
J C
JC
EMBL, Heidelberg, FRG.
Dollé
P
P
Renucci
A
A
Zappavigna
V
V
Falkenstein
H
H
Duboule
D
D
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D005121:Extremities / Q000196:embryology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology*; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000235:genetics*; D005835:Genitalia / Q000196:embryology; D007668:Kidney / Q000196:embryology; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data