Premium
Rhox homeobox gene cluster: recent duplication of three family members
Author(s) -
MacLean James A.,
Lorenzetti Diego,
Hu Zhiying,
Salerno Will J.,
Miller Jonathan,
Wilkinson Miles F.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
genesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.093
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1526-968X
pISSN - 1526-954X
DOI - 10.1002/gene.20193
Subject(s) - homeobox , gene duplication , homeobox a1 , nonsynonymous substitution , biology , homeobox protein nkx 2.5 , gene , genetics , gene cluster , hnf1b , transcription factor , genome
We recently reported the discovery of a homeobox gene cluster on the mouse X chromosome, Rhox, whose 12 members are selectively expressed in specific cell types in reproductive organs. Here we report the existence of 20 additional Rhox homeobox genes in this gene cluster. Most of the newly identified Rhox paralogs retain the same order and relative orientation as three of the originally described Rhox genes, suggesting that they arose from recent duplications of this trimer unit. Many of these new Rhox family members are expressed in the testis and placenta. Analysis of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions in their homeodomain region suggests that these new Rhox paralogs duplicated so recently that their encoded proteins have not yet acquired distinct DNA‐binding specificities. The existence of these new Rhox genes provides an opportunity to examine the initial stages of gene cluster evolution. genesis 44:122–129, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.