Abstract
sax1/nkx1.2 and sax2/nkx1.1 are members of the evolutionally conserved NK-1 homeobox gene family. sax1/nkx1.2 is reported to be expressed in the central nervous system during early and late neurogenesis in the chick and mouse, but the expression of sax2/nkx1.1 has not been reported. We isolated zebrafish cDNAs for sax1/nkx1.2 and sax2/nkx1.1 and examined their expression. In zebrafish, unlike chick and mouse, sax1/nkx1.2 was expressed in the prospective medial floor plate from the mid-gastrula period and was dependent on Nodal signaling. From the early segmentation period, sax1/nkx1.2 was also expressed in the posterior neuroectoderm. sax2/nkx1.1 was expressed in the prospective extraocular muscles, mesencephalic neurons residing along the tract of the posterior commissure, ventral neurons in the hindbrain, and interneurons in the spinal cord.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Central Nervous System / embryology*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology*
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Homeodomain Proteins / biosynthesis*
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Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
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Humans
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Nodal Protein
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Signal Transduction / physiology
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Transcription Factors / biosynthesis*
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
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Zebrafish / embryology*
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Zebrafish / genetics
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Zebrafish Proteins / biosynthesis*
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Zebrafish Proteins / genetics
Substances
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Homeodomain Proteins
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NODAL protein, human
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Nodal Protein
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Nodal protein, mouse
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Transcription Factors
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Transforming Growth Factor beta
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Zebrafish Proteins
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nkx1.2la protein, zebrafish
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nkx1.2lb protein, zebrafish
Associated data
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GENBANK/AB067732
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GENBANK/AB121758