Four novel murine homeobox genes, Uncx-4.1, OG-2, OG-9, and OG-12, were cloned and partially sequenced. The amino acid sequence of the mouse Uncx-4.1 homeodomain is closely related to the sequence of the unc-4 homeodomain of Caenorhabditis elegans. However, the OG-2, OG-9, and OG- 12 homeodomains are relatively diverged and are not closely related to any previously described homeodomain. Northern blot analyses revealed multiple bands of Uncx-4.1, OG-2, OG-9, and OG-12 poly (A)+ RNA in RNA from mouse embryos and adults that change during development and showed that each gene is expressed in a tissue-specific manner. OG-12 cDNAs were cloned that correspond to two alternatively spliced species of OG-12 mRNA. Three major bands of Uncx-4.1 poly (A)+ RNA were found only in RNA from adult mouse brain, but an additional band was observed in RNA from all the other tissues tested. Major bands of OG-9 and OG-2 poly(A)+ RNA were found only in RNA from striated muscle; however, trace bands were detected in RNA from other tissues. Murine Hoxd-3 genomic DNA and cDNA and Hoxa-3 cDNA were cloned and sequenced. The homeodomains of Hoxd-3 and Hoxa-3 and regions before and after the homeodomain are highly conserved. Northern blot analysis of RNA from 8- to ll-day-old mouse embryos revealed a 4.3 kb species of Hoxd-3 RNA; whereas, a less abundant 3.0 kb species of Hoxd-3 RNA was found in RNA from 9- to 11-day-old embryos. Two species of Hoxd-3 poly(A)+ RNA, 4.3 and 6.0 kb in length, were found in poly(A)+ RNA from adult mouse kidney, but not in RNA from other adult tissues tested. Hoxd-3 mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization in 12-, 14-, and 17- day-old mouse embryos in the posterior half of the myelencephalon, spinal cord, dorsal root ganglia, first cervical vertebra, thyroid gland, kidney tubules, esophagus, stomach and intestines.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01HL000157-03
Application #
2576710
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (LBG)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1996
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code
Cinquanta, M; Rovescalli, A C; Kozak, C A et al. (2000) Mouse Sebox homeobox gene expression in skin, brain, oocytes, and two-cell embryos. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 97:8904-9
Rovescalli, A C; Cinquanta, M; Ferrante, J et al. (2000) The mouse Nkx-1.2 homeobox gene: alternative RNA splicing at canonical and noncanonical splice sites. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 97:1982-7