Ta. Hjalt et Jc. Murray, The human BARX2 gene: Genomic structure, chromosomal localization, and single nucleotide polymorphisms, GENOMICS, 62(3), 1999, pp. 456-459
The BARX genes 1 and 2 are Bar class homeobox genes expressed in craniofaci
al structures during development. In this report, we present the genomic st
ructure, chromosomal localization, and polymorphic markers in BARX2. The ge
ne has four exons, ranging in size from 85 to 1099 bp. BARX2 is localized o
n human chromosome llq25, as determined by radiation hybrid mapping. In the
mouse, Barx2 is coexpressed with Pitx2 in several tissues. Based on the co
expression, BARX2 was assumed to be a candidate gene for those cases of Rie
ger syndrome that cannot be associated with mutations of PITX2. Mutations i
n PITX2 cause some cases of Rieger syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder
affecting eyes, teeth, and umbilicus. DNA from Rieger patients was subject
ed to single-strand conformation polymorphism screening of the BARX2 coding
region. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms were found in a normal popul
ation, although no etiologic mutations were detectable in over 100 cases of
Rieger syndrome or in individuals with related ocular disorders. (C)1999 A
cademic Press.