Based on amino acid sequence comparisons, Pax1 and Pax9 genes are considere
d to form a subgroup of vertebrate Pax genes. We show here that the gene st
ructures of mouse Pax1, human PAX9 genes are similar to that of a single Pa
x1/9 related gene in Branchiostoma lanceolatum, AmphiPax1. This supports th
e hypothesis that Pax1 and Pax9 genes were derived from a single ancestral
gene. A refined protein alignment of AmphiPax1, mouse Pax1 and human PAX9 p
roteins based on the determined exon boundaries indicates that sequence div
ergence at the C-termini may be related to the unique functions of the Pax1
and Pax9 genes in vertebrates. AmphiPax1 is expressed in adult amphioxus i
n the pharyngeal endoderm. (C) 2000 Elsevier science B.V. All rights reserv
ed.