Hox genes and mammalian development

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Publication Type presentation
School or College College of Science; School of Medicine
Department Oncological Sciences; Biology; Human Genetics
Creator Capecchi, Mario R.
Title Hox genes and mammalian development
Date 1997
Description We have examined the interactions of Hox genes in forming a cervical vertebrae, hindbrain, and limbs. In each case, it is apparent that individual Hox genes are performing individual functions but that more profound roles are apparent when they act in combination with others Hox genes. The observed interactions suggest that multiple Hox genes function in concert to regulate overlapping sets of target genes. This suggesting is particularly strong in the interactions observed among the group-3 analogous genes in formation of the cervical vertebrae and among Hoxd11, Hoxd12, and Hoxd13 in formation of the autopod. In each case, the cumulative effect of combining multiple mutations is the deletions of structure, resulting from either lack of specification or lack of specification or lack of proliferation of the precursor cells needed to from the structures. Similarly, the combination of HoxaI and HoxbI mutations results in more extensive deletions of anterior structures than is apparent in mice homozygous for either individual mutation. All the results, both of single and combined mutations, are compatible with a role of Hox genes in the early regionalization of the embryo. In the absence of Hox gene functions, formation of the axes and germ cell layers of the embryo still occurs. At this point, the Hox genes are activated to initiate the formation of the embryo by conferring positional value along the major axes of the embryo. Perhaps the most primitive function of Hox genes is the innate ability, through their chromosomal organization, to covet a series of temporal signals into morphological direction, a conversion of time's arrow into a spatial vector.
Type Text
Publisher Cold Spring Harbor Lab Press
First Page 273
Last Page 281
Subject Drosophila; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Homozygote
Subject MESH Body Patterning; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Extremities; Genes, Homeobox; Mammals
Language eng
Bibliographic Citation Capecchi, M. R. (1997). Hox genes and mammalian development in Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology: Pattern Formation during Development. Vol. LXII. Cold Spring Harbor, NY: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 273-81.
Rights Management Copyright © 1997 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. All Rights Reserved.
Format Medium application/pdf
Identifier ir-main,470
ARK ark:/87278/s6k6524c
Setname ir_uspace
ID 702356
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6k6524c
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