Boncinelli E, Simeone A, Acampora D, Gulisano M
DIBIT, Istituto Scientifico H.S. Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
Ann Genet. 1993;36(1):30-7.
A number of genes containing sequences coding for DNA-binding domains homologues to homeobox sequences in Drosophila have been isolated in vertebrate and their mechanism of action have been studied. In Particular Hox family genes share with Drosophila homeotic genes a genomic organization in gene clusters and an expression pattern that is similar in a number of important respects. In situ hybridization experiment have shown that there is a strict correspondence, or colinearity, between the order of the Hox genes (3' to 5') within the chromosomal cluster and that of their expression domains (anterior to posterior) in the embryo. Recent data obtained in embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells induced to differentiate by retinoic acid (RA) cast some light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the colinear expression of the Hox genes.
在脊椎动物中已分离出许多含有与果蝇同源异型框序列中DNA结合结构域编码序列的基因，并对其作用机制进行了研究。特别是Hox家族基因与果蝇同源异型基因在基因簇的基因组组织以及在许多重要方面相似的表达模式上具有共性。原位杂交实验表明，染色体簇中Hox基因（从3'到5'）的顺序与其在胚胎中表达结构域（从前到后）的顺序之间存在严格的对应关系，即共线性。最近在经视黄酸（RA）诱导分化的胚胎癌细胞（EC）中获得的数据，为Hox基因共线性表达背后的分子机制提供了一些线索。
