Homeotic gene

Homeotic genes are genes which regulate the development of anatomical structures in various organisms such as echinoderms,[1] insects, mammals, and plants. Homeotic genes often encode transcription factor proteins, and these proteins affect development by regulating downstream gene networks involved in body patterning.[2]

Mutations in homeotic genes cause displaced body parts (homeosis), such as antennae growing at the posterior of the fly instead of at the head.[3] Mutations that lead to development of ectopic structures are usually lethal.[4]

  1. ^ Popodi E, et al. (1996). "Sea Urchin Hox Genes: Insights into the Ancestral Hox Cluster". Mol. Biol. Evol. 13 (8): 1078–1086. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a025670. PMID 8865662.
  2. ^ Hirth F, Hartmann B, Reichert H (May 1998). "Homeotic gene action in embryonic brain development of Drosophila". Development. 125 (9): 1579–89. doi:10.1242/dev.125.9.1579. PMID 9521896.
  3. ^ Bürglin TR (2013). "Homeotic Mutation". Homeotic mutations. pp. 510–511. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-374984-0.00727-0. ISBN 978-0-08-096156-9. {{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  4. ^ Andrew DJ, Horner MA, Petitt MG, et al. (March 1, 1994). "Setting limits on homeotic gene function: restraint of Sex combs reduced activity by teashirt and other homeotic genes". EMBO Journal. 13 (5): 1132–44. doi:10.1002/j.1460-2075.1994.tb06362.x. PMC 394922. PMID 7907545.