The Iroquois family of genes: from body building to neural patterning.
The Iroquois (Iro) family of genes are found in nematodes, insects and vertebrates. They usually occur in one or two genomic clusters of three genes each and encode transcriptional controllers that possess a characteristic homeodomain. The Iro genes function early in development to specify the identity of diverse territories of the body, such as the dorsal head and dorsal mesothorax of Drosophila and the neural plate of Xenopus. In some aspects they act in the same way as classical selector genes, but they display specific properties that place them into a category of their own. Later in development in both Drosophila and vertebrates, the Iro genes function again to subdivide those territories into smaller domains.
Cavodeassi
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F
Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC and UAM, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
Modolell
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Gómez-Skarmeta
J L
JL
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D002450:Cell Communication; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006321:Heart / Q000196:embryology; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D005810:Multigene Family; D009420:Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D020897:Organizers, Embryonic; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000196:embryology
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors