GSH-2, A MURINE HOMEOBOX GENE EXPRESSED IN THE DEVELOPING BRAIN

A novel murine dispersed homeobox gene, designated Gsh-2, is described . Analysis of cDNA sequence, including the full open reading frame, re veals an encoded homeodomain that is surprisingly similar to those of the Antennapedia-type clustered Hox genes. In addition, the encoded pr otein includes polyhistidine and polyalanine tracts, as observed for s everal other genes of developmental significance. In situ hybridizatio ns showed Gsh-2 expression in the developing central nervous system, i ncluding the ganglionic eminences of the forebrain, the diencephalon, which gives rise to the thalamus and hypothalamus, and in the hindbrai n. Furthermore, a random oligonucleotide selection and PCR amplificati on procedure was used to define a target DNA binding sequence, CNAATTA G, as a first step towards the identification of downstream target gen es.