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PCR survey of Xenoturbella bocki Hox genes
Author(s) -
Fritzsch Guido,
Böhme Manja U.,
Thorndyke Mike,
Nakano Hiroaki,
Israelsson Olle,
Stach Thomas,
Schlegel Martin,
Hankeln Thomas,
Stadler Peter F.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of experimental zoology part b: molecular and developmental evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1552-5015
pISSN - 1552-5007
DOI - 10.1002/jez.b.21208
Subject(s) - hox gene , homeobox , biology , gene , genetics , basal (medicine) , phylogenetic tree , evolutionary biology , transcription factor , insulin , endocrinology
Xenoturbella bocki has recently been identified as one of the most basal deuterostomes, although an even more basal phylogenetic position cannot be ruled out. Here we report on a polymerase chain reaction survey of partial Hox homeobox sequences of X. bocki . Surprisingly, we did not find evidence for more than five Hox genes, one clear labial/PG1 ortholog, one posterior gene most similar to the PG9/10 genes of Ambulacraria, and three central group genes whose precise assignment to a specific paralog group remains open. We furthermore report on a re‐evaluation of the available published evidence of Hox genes in other basal deuterostomes. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 310B:278–284, 2008 . © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.