lazarus is a novel pbx gene that globally mediates hox gene function in zebrafish.
Individual vertebrate Hox genes specify aspects of segment identity along the anterior-posterior axis. The exquisite in vivo specificity of Hox proteins is thought to result from their interactions with members of the Pbx/Exd family of homeodomain proteins. Here, we report the identification and cloning of a zebrafish gene, lazarus, which is required globally for segmental patterning in the hindbrain and anterior trunk. We show that lazarus is a novel pbx gene and provide evidence that it is the primary pbx gene required for the functions of multiple hox genes during zebrafish development. lazarus plays a critical role in orchestrating the corresponding segmentation of the hindbrain and the pharyngeal arches, a key step in the development of the vertebrate body plan.
Pöpperl
H
H
Division of Basic Science, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA.
Rikhof
H
H
Chang
H
H
Haffter
P
P
Kimmel
C B
CB
Moens
C B
CB
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D005809:Genes, Regulator; D016296:Mutagenesis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D000075062:Pre-B-Cell Leukemia Transcription Factor 1; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012249:Rhombencephalon / Q000196:embryology*; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D000075062:Pre-B-Cell Leukemia Transcription Factor 1; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C083400:PBX1 protein, human