Two enhancer domains control early aspects of the complex expression pattern of Msx1.

To understand how the complex embryonic expression pattern of the Msx1 gene is produced a transgenic analysis of 13 kb of DNA around the Msx1 locus was carried out. Most of the extensive expression pattern of the Msx1 gene was reproduced in transgenics using the LacZ gene fused to 5 kb of Msx1 5' flanking DNA. Two enhancer domains were identified which produced this pattern. The distal element produced expression in the first arch and the nasal epithelium and was restricted to 240 bp. However, the proximal element which produced expression in superficial nasal epithelium, dorsal and ventral myotome, limb mesenchyme, eye, ear, roof plate, second arch, genital ridge and epiphysis, was contained in only 78 bp.