Hox11-family genes XHox11 and XHox11L2 in Xenopus: XHox11L2 expression is restricted to a subset of the primary sensory neurons

The mouse genome contains a small family of homeobox genes related to Hox11 , but relatively little is known about the expression of these genes during early development. Hox11 itself is expressed in the embryonic spleen, amon g other tissues, and is required for its formation. No description of Hox11 L2 expression has been presented previously. We have isolated the Xenopus o rthologs of Hox11 and Hox11L2 and have carefully compared their expression patterns during embryogenesis. The localization of Xhox11 transcripts in th e branchial arches, cranial sensory ganglia and spinal cord is similar, but not identical, to that of mouse Hox11. Xhox11 expression is not detected i n the developing spleen. XHox11LB is expressed exclusively in a portion of the primary sensory system in the frog embryo, including the cranial sensor y ganglia and the Rohon-Beard sensory neurons, There is significant overlap in the patterns of Xhox11 and XHox11L2 expression in the spinal cord and c ranial sensory ganglia during early development, suggesting that they may f unction redundantly in these tissues, The timing of Xhox11 and Xhox11L2 exp ression indicates that Hox11-family members may participate in the final st ages of the differentiation process, Dev Dyn 1999;214: 34-43. (C) 1999 Wile y-Liss, Inc.