Isolation and characterization of a developmentally regulated homeobox sequence in the Mexican axolotl Ambystoma mexicanum

A homeobox-containing genomic DNA fragment was isolated from the Mexican axolotl. This clone was obtained from a partial genomic library enriched for sequences that cross-hybridized with the Drosophila Antp homeobox under low stringency hybridization conditions. DNA sequence analysis revealed that this sequence (Ahox1) was 66% homologous to the Antp homeobox sequence and was most closely related to the mouse Hox-1.6 (84% identity) and Drosophila lab (79% identity) homeobox sequences. Several cross-hybridizing fragments to Ahox1 were detected in both mouse and axolotl genomic DNA. This sequence was also shown to be conserved in other Ambystoma species. Northern blot analysis revealed that genes containing this sequence are developmentally regulated. Transcripts hybridizing to the Ahox1 homeobox probe were detected during the neurula and tail bud stages of development.Key words: axolotl, homeobox, mouse, Drosophila, gene expression.

Spatially restricted patterns of expression of the homeobox-containing gene Hox 2.1. during mouse embryogenesis

The mouse Hox 2.1 gene contains a homeobox sequence and is therefore a candidate for a vertebrate gene involved in the control of embryonic patterning or positional specification. To investigate this possibility, we have used in situ hybridization to determine the pattern of Hox 2.1 expression during mouse embryogenesis. At 8.5 days post coitum, Hox 2.1 is expressed at a low level in the posterior neuroectoderm and mesoderm, and in the neuroectoderm of the presumptive hindbrain. At 12.5 days p.c., Hox 2.1 is expressed in an anteroposterior restricted domain extending from the hindbrain throughout the length of the spinal cord, predominantly in the dorsal region. Between 12.5 and 13.5 days p.c. the domain becomes localized to the occipital and cervical regions. We also detect Hox 2.1 RNA in the embryonic lung, stomach, mesonephros and metanephros, as well as in myenteric plexus, dorsal root ganglia and the nodose ganglion, and in mature granulocytes. The embryonic expression of Hox 2.1 in neural tissue is compared with that of Hox 3.1, which also shows anteroposterior restricted domains of gene expression. These patterns of expression are not clearly consistent with Hox 2.1 or Hox 3.1 having roles in segmental patterning. However, the data are consistent with these genes having regulatory roles in anteroposterior positional specification in the neuroectoderm and mesoderm, and suggest that Hox 2.1 may also have functions during organogenesis.