Premium
The two Xenopus Gbx2 genes exhibit similar, but not identical expression patterns and can affect head formation
Author(s) -
Tour Ella,
Pillemer Graciela,
Gruenbaum Yosef,
Fainsod Abraham
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(01)02963-5
Subject(s) - homeobox , xenopus , hindbrain , gastrulation , biology , notochord , gene , genetics , homologous chromosome , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression , embryogenesis
Gbx2 homeobox genes are important for formation and function of the midbrain/hindbrain boundary, namely the isthmic organizer. Two Gbx2 genes were identified in Xenopus laevis , differing in 13 amino acids, including a change in the homeodomain. Xgbx2a is activated earlier during gastrulation and reaches higher levels of expression while Xgbx2b is expressed later, at lower levels and has an additional domain in the ventral blood islands. Their overexpression results in microcephalic embryos with shortened axes and defects in brain and notochord formation. Both genes encode functionally homologous proteins, which differ primarily in their temporal and spatial expression patterns.