Differential expression of the mouse homeobox-containing gene Hox-1.4 during male germ cell differentiation and embryonic development.
Hox-1.4 is a mouse homeobox-containing gene (initially identified as HBT-1), whose expression appears to be testis-specific in the adult animal. Examination of Hox-1.4 transcripts in RNA from testes of mutant mice deficient in germ cells confirms that Hox-1.4 expression within the testis is germ cell-specific. Enriched populations of spermatogenic cells were used to localize the expression of Hox-1.4 specifically to germ cells that have entered into and progressed beyond the meiotic prophase stage of differentiation and to demonstrate the presence of two different size Hox-1.4 transcripts. Examination of RNA from teratocarcinoma cell cultures and mouse embryos at 10.5-16.5 days of gestation demonstrated the presence of several Hox-1.4 transcripts, which are larger than those present in germ cells. In the midgestation fetus, Hox-1.4 expression is most abundant in the spinal cord.
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011061:Poly A / Q000032:analysis; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011061:Poly A; D012313:RNA