We have examined the expression pattern of the GBX2 gene during chicke
n embryogenesis. First transcripts are found in the epiblast of a HH s
t. 3+ embryo. With the onset of neurogenesis, transcripts mark the pos
terior neuroectoderm. Later on, expression is detectable in the isthmi
c region, the hindbrain and the neural tube. We show that GBX2 transcr
ipts, as well as the protein, mark the presumptive hindbrain region. A
fter establishment of the brain vesicles GBX2 transcripts were also de
tected in distinct domains of the diencephalon. In addition to neural
sites of expression, GBX2 was found in several domains including the o
tic vesicle, the semitic mesoderm, the lateral foregut endoderm, the v
entral limb bud ectoderm and in the feather buds. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sc
ience Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.