Hox Targeting in Vertebrate Forelimb Induction: Expression and Comparative Genomics

<p><em>Hox</em> genes encode master regulators of body plan during embryonic development. In land and avian (bird) vertebrates there are four clusters of <em>Hox</em> genes (A, B, C, D). Patterns of <em>Hox</em> expression (paralogs 5-8), in our work specifically <em>Hoxc5, c6, c8,</em> and <em>Hoxd8</em> in the forelimb forelimb area have been determined, using the chicken (<em>Gallus gallus</em>) as our model organism. These data help complete the known <em>Hox</em> gene expression patterns for early forelimb development for all four land and avian vertebrates. Potential Hox, Box-associated, and homeodomain core binding sites in genes inducing the forelimb (<em>Tbx5, Salli, Sall4, and Fgf10</em>) have been predicted through comparative genomics, including the use of sequence alignment, phylogenetic footprinting, and related analyses. We have also used comparative genomics to predict potential Lmx1b core binding sites in the Emx2 gene. Both Lmxlb and <em>Emx2</em> are factors involved in forelimb and shoulder girdle dorsalization.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year

2007

Author dc:creator

• Greer, Lee Fitzhugh, III

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kerby C. Oberg
• Roland L. Carter
• William H. Fletcher
• Lora Green
• William K. Hayes

• Biology
• Embryology; Developmental biology; Vertebrates; Morphogenesis; Extremities; Forelimb.

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/577

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-1736