[Redeployment of the Six genes in evolution].
It has become clear that during evolution, efficient molecular mechanisms are used over and over again to achieve various patterning tasks. The Six gene story illustrates a new aspect of the molecular conservation during embryogenesis. Members of the Six gene family have been identified on the basis of sequence homology with Drosophila sine oculis gene, which acts within a network of genes including eyeless (Pax family), eyes absent (Eya family) and dachshund (Dach family) to trigger compound eye organogenesis. Some aspects of the regulatory complex operating in Drosophila appear to be conserved during vertebrate eye patterning, but also for other differentiation processes. In this regard, Six1 is required nonetheless during myogenesis, but also for kidney, thymus, inner ear, nose, lacrimal and salivary gland organogenesis. These phenotypes are reminiscent of those previously described for Eya and Pax mutants, suggesting a functional link between these factors during mammalian organogenesis.
Laclef
Christine
C
Département génétique, développement et pathologie moléculaire, Institut Cochin, Inserm U.567, CNRS 8104, Université Paris V, Saint Jacques, France. Christine.Laclef@snv.jussieu.fr
Maire
Pascal
P
D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D000097607:Homeobox Protein SIX3
D005136:Eye Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000097607:Homeobox Protein SIX3; C490947:Six1 protein, mouse; C497420:Six2 protein, mouse; C114419:Six6 protein, mouse