MEIS2, A NOVEL MOUSE PBX-RELATED HOMEOBOX GENE INDUCED BY RETINOIC ACID DURING DIFFERENTIATION OF P19 EMBRYONAL CARCINOMA-CELLS

We report the cDNA cloning, partial genomic organization, and expressi on pattern of Stra10, a novel retinoic acid-inducible gene in P19 embr yonal carcinoma cells. Four murine cDNA isoforms have been isolated, w hich are likely to result from alternative splicing. The predicted pro tein sequences exhibit approximately 85% identity with the Pbx-related Meis1 homeobox gene products, which are involved in myeloid leukemia in BXH-2 mice, and one of the Stra10 isoforms corresponds to the recen tly published Meis2 sequence (Nakamura et al. [1996] Oncogene 13:2235- 2242). The Meis2 homeodomain is identical to that of Meis1, and is mos t closely related to those of the Pbx/TGIF homeobox gene products. By in situ hybridization analysis, we show that the Meis2 gene displays s patially restricted expression patterns in the developing nervous syst em, limbs, face, and in various viscera. In adult mice, Meis2 is mainl y expressed in the brain and female genital tract, with a different di stribution of the alternative splice forms in these organs. (C) 1997 W iley-Liss, Inc.