Animal evolution: when did the 'Hox system' arise?
The origins of the Hox gene clusters and their coordinated activities during development have long been of considerable interest to biologists. In a recent paper in Current Biology, the Hox-like genes of two cnidarians are interpreted as evidence that the 'Hox system', sensu stricto, originated after the split from the lineage leading to bilaterian animals and that it was not requisite for complex axial patterning.
Amemiya
Chris T
CT
Molecular Genetics Program, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, Washington 98101, USA. camemiya@benaroyaresearch.org
Wagner
Günter P
GP
D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D005810:Multigene Family; D010802:Phylogeny; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D037401:Scyphozoa / Q000378:metabolism; D012615:Sea Anemones / Q000378:metabolism
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins