HoxB genes regulate neuronal delamination in the trunk neural tube by controlling the expression of Lzts1

ABSTRACT Differential Hox gene expression is central for specification of axial neuronal diversity in the spinal cord. Here, we uncover an additional function proteins developing cord, restricted to B cluster genes. We found that members HoxB are expressed trunk neural tube chicken embryo earlier than from other clusters, with poor antero-posterior specificity and overlapping intermediate zone (IZ). Gain-of-function experiments HoxB4, HoxB8 HoxB9, respectively, representative anterior, posterior genes, resulted ectopic progenitor cells mantle zone. The search downstream targets early identified leucine zipper tumor suppressor 1 (Lzts1), which also activated by HoxB4 HoxB9. Gain- loss-of-function showed Lzts1, endogenously IZ, controls delamination. These data collectively indicate genes have a generic controlling Lzts1