Abstract
Homeotic genes regulate structure specific development in Drosophila. They contain the homeobox region, a highly conserved DNA sequence which is also conserved in the mammalian genome. Mammalian homeotic genes are proposed to regulate [mammalian] fetal development. Mouse homeobox genes are called “box” genes; specific hox genes are known to be expressed in fetal mouse lungs. We hypothesize that hox gene expression in fetal lung is developmentally regulated in a lung specific fashion. RNA was isolated from fetal mouse lungs and liver at 16, 17, and 18 days gestation, transferred to Northern blot, then probed with 32P labelled cDNA probes for hox 1.3, hox 1.5, and hox 2.1. Expression was analysed by autoradiography [and computer phosphorimagery.] Specific expression of hox 1.3 was seen in lung but not liver of males and females on days 16, 17, and 18. Expression of hox 1.5 was seen in both lung and liver of males and females on days 16, 17, and 18. Expression of hox 2.1 was not seen on these days, but has been previously described in day 12.5 and 14.5 fetal mouse lungs. These findings support our hypothesis of developmental regulation of hox gene expression. We speculate that hox genes regulate pattern specific development in the mouse similar to homeobox genes in Drosophila.
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Shephard, B., Cochran, B. & Nielsen, H. DEVELOPMENTAL REGULATION OF HOX GENE EXPRESSION IN FETAL MOUSE LUNG. Pediatr Res 32, 621 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00098
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00098