Expression of Chx10 and Chx10-1 in the developing chicken retina

We have isolated full-length cDNAs of chick Chx10 and Chx10-1, two members of the paired type homeobox/CVC gene family. A comparison of sequences sugg ests that Chx10 is closely related to Alx/Vsx-2and Vsx-2 of zebrafish and g oldfish. respectively; while Chx10-1 is closely related to Vsx-1 of zebrafi sh and goldfish. Chx10 and Chx10-1 are expressed in the early retinal neuro epithelium, but not in the pigment epithelium and lens. The expression of C hx10 is present in most retinal neuroblasts, while Chx10-1 exhibits a novel pattern along the nasotemporal border. In the differentiating retina, both Chx10 and Chx10-1 are restricted to bipolar cells and are maintained at a low level in bipolar cells of the mature retina. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.