title: Hoxa-13 gene mutation results in abnormal seminal vesicle and prostate development.
abstract: The role of Hoxa-13 in postnatal morphogenesis of the male accessory sex organs was assessed by correlating the Hoxa-13 expression domain with phenotypic abnormalities in heterozygous Hypodactyly mutants. Hypodactyly is a naturally occurring semi-dominant mutation that results from a 50-base pair deletion in exon one of the Hoxa-13 allele. We demonstrate that Hoxa-13 is broadly expressed in the developing lower genitourinary tract and that the Hypodactyly mutation results in a specific phenotype characterized by decreased size and branching of the dorsolateral and ventral prostate and abnormal seminal vesicle morphology. This phenotype partially overlaps the genitourinary phenotype observed in Hoxd-13 deficient mice and comparison showed similar domains of Hoxa-13 and Hoxd-13 expression in the lower genitourinary tract. The similarity in expression and overlap in phenotype resulting from mutation is consistent with additive function and partial functional redundancy of Hoxa-13 and Hoxd-13 in male accessory sex organ development.
authors: Department of Urology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors: C A
authors: CA
authors: Podlasek
authors: J Q
authors: JQ
authors: Clemens
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Bushman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009154:Mutation; D011467:Prostate / Q000002:abnormalities*; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000002:abnormalities*
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C099959:homeobox protein HOXA13