High impact information on Hoxc9

• In addition, a second member of the gene cluster, Hox 3.2, is characterized [1].
• Sequence analysis of the 5' region of the Hox-3.1 gene extending to its nearest upstream neighbor, Hox-3.2, allowed us to identify sequences known to be capable of interactions with transcription factors [2].
• Unlike Hox-1.4 and Hox-1.3 and their paralogs, Hox-3.2, -2.5 and -4.4 (5.2) show strikingly different anterior boundaries of expression in the CNS and prevertebrae [3].
• The murine homeobox-containing gene Hox-3.2 is the most 5' member of the Hox-3 complex on chromosome 15 isolated to date [3].
• 5. In contrast to Hox-3.1, Hox-3.2 is not expressed in the dorsal horns containing the sensory neurons at day 14.5 p.c. Hox-3.2 transcripts are also detected in the posterior prevertebrae, the hindlimb buds and the cortex of the developing kidney [3].

Biological context of Hoxc9

• This vector contained a short splice acceptor fragment from the Hoxc9 gene, a full length lacZ gene, including an ATG, and a reduced activity, mutant neomycin phosphotransferase gene as a selectable marker [4].
• It is highly homologous to Hox-1.7 and Hox-3.2, demonstrating extended conservation among three homeo box complexes in the mouse [5].
• Following the paradigm of phylogenetically conserved developmental control mechanisms, the Hoxc-9 intragenic enhancer was tested in Drosophila [6].
• Our data show that the mouse Hoxc-9 enhancer acts in a conserved fashion in transgenic flies, conferring posteriorly restricted reporter gene expression to the developing central nervous system in third instar larvae [6].
• Moreover, changes in the Hoxc-8 gene expression pattern suggested that the Hoxc-9 gene regulates expression of the Hoxc-8 gene [7].

Anatomical context of Hoxc9

• Hoxc-9 mutant mice show anterior transformation of the vertebrae and malformation of the sternum and ribs [7].
• However, separate localized expression was detected for Hoxc-9, -10, -11, -12 and possibly -13 in distal epidermal regions of the developing hind- and forelimb, whereas no expression of any of the five genes was observed in mesenchymal tissues of the developing forelimb [8].
• A limited comparison of the primary expression domains of all five AbdB-related Hoxc genes in the developing hindlimb revealed nested and increasingly restricted domains of expression in the mesenchyme for only Hoxc-9, -10 and -11 [8].
• The results demonstrated that Hoxc-9 mRNA was expressed at high levels in giant trophoblast cells of murine placentae on Days 12-19, but not on Day 8 [9].

Associations of Hoxc9 with chemical compounds

• Although the functional significance of Hoxc-9/HOXC-9 gene expression in trophoblast cells remains to be elucidated, it was suggested that it might play a role in the regulation of invasiveness or endocrine activities in the murine giant trophoblast cells and/or the caprine binucleate trophoblast cells [9].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of Hoxc9

• To clarify the function of the Hoxc-9 gene, we have introduced a mutation into the Hoxc-9 locus by gene targeting [7].
• We carried out comparative analyses of the location and identity of the cells expressing Hoxc-9/HOXC-9 during various stages of placentation in the murine hemochorial and caprine synepitheliochorial placentae by means of in situ hybridization using murine Hoxc-9 or caprine HOXC-9 cRNA probe, respectively [9].

References