In this paper we evaluate homeosis and Homeotic Complex (Hox) regulatory hierarchies in the somatic and visceral mesoderm. We demonstrate that both Hox control of signal transduction and cell autonomous regulation are critical for establishing normal Hox expression patterns and the specification of segmental identity and morphology. We present data identifying novel regulatory interactions asso...

By use of in situ hybridization experiments, the mouse homeobox genes Hox-3.1 and Hox-1.5 are compared in the temporal and spatial patterns of their embryonic transcripts. Transcripts of both genes are first detected at about 7 1/2 days, although the appearance of Hox-3.1 transcripts apparently follows Hox-1.5 after a small delay. Hox-3.1 and Hox-1.5 transcripts occupy domains which are differe...

The Hox genes are major regulators of the animal bodyplan. They determine the identities of sequential zones along the main body axis. The Hox genes show collinearity– spatial and temporal ordering of their expression corresponding to their genomic ordera spectacular phenomenon that has excited life scientists since its discovery in 1978. Three mechanisms have been proposed to explain this spat...

Hox genes encode a family of transcriptional regulators that operate differential developmental programs along the anteroposterior axis of bilateral animals. Regulatory changes affecting Hox gene expression are believed to have been crucial for the evolution of animal body plans. In Drosophila melanogaster, Hox expression is post-transcriptionally regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs) acting on targe...

During embryonic development of the Drosophila brain, the Hox gene labial is required for the regionalized specification of the tritocerebral neuromere. In order to gain further insight into the mechanisms of Hox gene action in the CNS, we have studied the molecular and genetic basis of cross-regulatory interactions between labial and other more posterior Hox genes using the GAL4/UAS system for...

The emergence following gene duplication of a large repertoire of Hox paralogue proteins underlies the importance taken by Hox proteins in controlling animal body plans in development and evolution. Sequence divergence of paralogous proteins accounts for functional specialization, promoting axial morphological diversification in bilaterian animals. Yet functionally specialized paralogous Hox pr...

Human first trimester extraembryonic tissues of normal and androgenetic origin (molar pregnancies) were investigated for the expression of 6 homeobox genes from the chromosome 12-encoded Hox-3 cluster by non-autoradiographic in situ hybridization with biotinylated RNA probes. By comparative in situ hybridization involving the use of exon- or region-specific RNA probes, analysis included the cel...

In normal development, each gene correctly expresses under temporal and spatial regulation. Teratogenic agents among environmental contaminants induce aberrated gene expression and consequently lead to congenital malformations. Therefore, it is urgent to identify molecular markers for the detection of teratogenic agents' effects.We analyzed mouse 39 hox gene expression in teratogenic factor exp...

HOX genes convey positional identity that leads to the proper partitioning and adult identity of the female reproductive track. Abnormalities in reproductive tract development can be caused by HOX gene mutations or altered HOX gene expression. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) and other endocrine disruptors cause Müllerian defects by changing HOX gene expression. HOX genes are also essential regulators ...

Hox proteins are well-established developmental regulators that coordinate cell fate and morphogenesis throughout embryogenesis. In contrast, our knowledge of their specific molecular modes of action is limited to the interaction with few cofactors. Here, we show that Hox proteins are able to interact with a wide range of transcription factors in the live Drosophila embryo. In this context, spe...