title: Transcriptional dynamics of homeobox C11 gene in water buffalo bubalus bubalis.
abstract: The Hox complex contains 39 genes clustered into four groups involved in cell differentiation and development. We cloned full-length sequence of Hoxc11 gene from water buffalo Bubalus bubalis, assessed its copy number, localized the same onto the chromosome 5, and studied its evolutionary conservation across the species. Northern hybridization of Hoxc11 showed a 2.2 kb band in the tissues analyzed. Real-Time PCR showed highest expression of Hoxc11 gene in lung followed by spleen, spermatozoa, and testis. Six interacting partners of this gene showed higher expression in spleen, lung, testis, and spermatozoa. During the early stages of development, Hoxc11 and its interacting partners both showed lower expression, which then became prominent during the age of 1-3 years, regressed drastically thereafter, and remained so until the animal's life time (∼ 20 years). The high expression of Hoxc11 and its interacting partners in spermatozoa and testis during the onset of puberty suggests its likely role in the differentiation of gonads and subsequent reproductive activities. Additional work on Hoxc11 especially, in the context of respiratory, immunological, and in/fertility in other species, including humans would be useful for establishing its broader biological significance towards the enrichment of functional and comparative genomics.
authors.affiliation: 1Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rawal
authors.affiliation: 1Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Deepali
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pathak
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Neeta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sehgal
authors.affiliation: 1Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Sher
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002020:Buffaloes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D005260:Female; D018628:Gene Dosage; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010802:Phylogeny; D060066:Protein Interaction Maps; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins