STRUCTURE AND CHROMOSOMAL LOCALIZATION OF THE HUMAN HOMEOBOX GENE PROX-1

The genomic organization and nucleotide sequence of the human homeobox gene Prox 1 as well as its chromosomal localization have been determi ned. This gene spans more than 40 kb, consists of at least 5 exons, an d encodes an 83-kDa protein. It shows 89% identity with the chicken se quence at the nucleotide level in the coding region, while the human a nd chicken proteins are 94% identical. Among the embryonic tissues ana lyzed (lens, brain, lung, liver, and kidney), the human Prox 1 gene is most actively expressed in the developing lens, similar to the expres sion pattern of the chicken Prox 1 gene. The Prox 1 gene was mapped to human chromosome 1q32.2-q32.3. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.