Homeo box gene complex on mouse chromosome 11: molecular cloning, expression in embryogenesis, and homology to a human homeo box locus.
The homeo box is a 180 bp protein-coding domain found within homeotic genes of Drosophila and conserved in a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate species. It has been suggested that the mammalian homeo box sequences may play a role in controlling pattern formation during embryogenesis. We report findings that support this hypothesis. We have cloned three overlapping recombinant phage clones that cover a region of mouse chromosome 11 that contains a cluster of four homeo boxes (the Hox-2 locus). This locus encodes multiple transcripts that are expressed during embryogenesis. Forty kilobases of the Hox-2 region is devoid of repetitive elements and shows extensive homology with the human Hox-2 locus. These results provide direct evidence for genetic expression during embryonic development, a conserved organization in comparison to the cognate human locus, and a complexity of organization and transcript expression similar to that found in Drosophila.
D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D005796:Genes; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes