BACKGROUND: Homeobox gene products are thought to regulate target genes involved in the regional specification of tissues and organs. Several genes play roles in eye development. RESULTS: We isolated two new mouse homeobox genes, Vax1 and Vax2, expressed in retina primordium. The two genes share the same gene organization, consisting of three exons with predicted amino acid sequences identical in the homeodomain but diversified in other regions. At 9. 5 days post coitum, both Vax genes were expressed in optic vesicles. At 11.5-14.5 dpc, Vax1 became restricted to the optic stalk, while Vax2 was expressed in the ventral half of the neural retina. Mapping of Vax2 between D6Mit3 and D6Mit8 on chromosome 6 indicated a possible linkage with Emx1. CONCLUSIONS: The expression patterns of Vax genes suggest separate and specific involvement in eye development. Vax1 may contribute to differentiation of the neuroretina, pigmented epithelium and optic stalk, while Vax2 could function in the establishment of the dorso-ventral axis of the retina and the visual system. The chromosomal location of Vax2 suggests that Vax2-Emx1 and Vax1-Emx2 arose by chromosome duplication of the same ancestral gene.
BACKGROUND: Homeobox gene products are thought to regulate target genes involved in the regional specification of tissues and organs. Several genes play roles in eye development. RESULTS: We isolated two new mouse homeobox genes, Vax1 and Vax2, expressed in retina primordium. The two genes share the same gene organization, consisting of three exons with predicted amino acid sequences identical in the homeodomain but diversified in other regions. At 9. 5 days post coitum, both Vax genes were expressed in optic vesicles. At 11.5-14.5 dpc, Vax1 became restricted to the optic stalk, while Vax2 was expressed in the ventral half of the neural retina. Mapping of Vax2 between D6Mit3 and D6Mit8 on chromosome 6 indicated a possible linkage with Emx1. CONCLUSIONS: The expression patterns of Vax genes suggest separate and specific involvement in eye development. Vax1 may contribute to differentiation of the neuroretina, pigmented epithelium and optic stalk, while Vax2 could function in the establishment of the dorso-ventral axis of the retina and the visual system. The chromosomal location of Vax2 suggests that Vax2-Emx1 and Vax1-Emx2 arose by chromosome duplication of the same ancestral gene.
Authors: Anne M Slavotinek; Ryan Chao; Tomas Vacik; Mani Yahyavi; Hana Abouzeid; Tanya Bardakjian; Adele Schneider; Gary Shaw; Elliott H Sherr; Greg Lemke; Mohammed Youssef; Daniel F Schorderet Journal: Hum Mutat Date: 2011-12-27 Impact factor: 4.878
Authors: Stephen N Sansom; Jean M Hébert; Uruporn Thammongkol; James Smith; Grace Nisbet; M Azim Surani; Susan K McConnell; Frederick J Livesey Journal: Development Date: 2005-08-03 Impact factor: 6.868
Authors: Jiwoon Lee; Jason R Willer; Gregory B Willer; Kierann Smith; Ronald G Gregg; Jeffrey M Gross Journal: Dev Biol Date: 2008-04-04 Impact factor: 3.582