title: Iroquois genes: genomic organization and function in vertebrate neural development.
abstract: We review recent work that shows that the iroquois (Iro/Irx) homeobox genes have conserved genomic organization in Drosophila and vertebrates. In addition, these genes play pivotal functions in the initial specification of the vertebrate neuroectoderm, and, in collaboration with other transcription factors, later subdivision of the anterior-posterior and dorso-ventral axis of the neuroectoderm.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain. jlgomez@cbm.uam.es
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gómez-Skarmeta
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Modolell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D020440:Gene Duplication; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D005810:Multigene Family; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors