Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Splits in Fruitfly Hox Gene Complexes

  • Chapter
Genes, Development and Cancer

  • 332 Accesses

Abstract

SIR—The homeotic genes are strikingly conserved between invertebrates and vertebrates. There is conservation, not only of the homeobox sequences, but also of their collinear order on the chromosome. The genes are found in clusters or ‘complexes’, and are arranged on the chromosome in the order of their function along the anteroposterior body axis (for review, see ref. 1). In the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster; the homeotic genes are split into two separate clusters, the Antennapedia complex (ANT-C) and the Bithorax complex (BX-C), which direct development of the anterior and posterior segments, respectively. We show that in Drosophila virilis, a closely related species2, the homeotic genes are also in two clusters, but the split occurs within the BX-C. The existence of two independent splits in the Drosophila lineage suggests that these flies lack the molecular constraint responsible for the ordered clusters in other animals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. McGinnis W. & Krumlauf R. Cell 68, 283–302 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Beverly S. M. ∓ Wilson A. C. J. molec. Evol. 21, 1–13 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Gubenko I. S. & Evgen’ev. M. B. Genetica 65, 127–139 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Hooper J. E. et al. Genetics 132, 453–469 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Doyle H. J., Harding K., Hoey T. & Levine, M. Nature 323, 76–79 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Kirov N., Zheinin L. Shah J. & Rushlow C. EMBO J. 12, 3193–3199 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Duncan I. Ann. Rev Genet. 21, 285–319 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Beeman R. W. Nature 327, 247–249 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Sander K. Adv. Insect Physiol 12, 125–238 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Akam M. Development 101, 1–2 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Duboule D. BioEssays 14, 375–384 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Bender W., Spierer P. & Hogness D. S. J. molec. Biol 168, 17–33 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bender W. et al. Science 221, 23–29 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Kuziora M. A. & McGinnis W. EMBO J. 7, 3233–3244 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Karch F. et al. Cell 43, 81–96 (dy1985).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Animal Biology, University of Geneva, 154 rte de Malagnou, 1224 Geneva, Switzerland

    Gretchen von Allmen, Iiham Hogga, Anne Spierer & François Karch

  2. Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA

    Welcome Bender

  3. Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, PO Box 521, H6701, Szeged, Hungary

    Henrik Gyurkovics

  4. Division of Biology, Caltech, Pasadena, California, 91125, USA

    E. B. Lewis

Authors
  1. Gretchen von Allmen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Iiham Hogga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anne Spierer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. François Karch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Welcome Bender
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Henrik Gyurkovics
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. E. B. Lewis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Program in Developmental Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada

    Howard D. Lipshitz (Senior Scientist and Head, Professor of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Canada Research Chair in Developmental Biology) (Senior Scientist and Head, Professor of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Canada Research Chair in Developmental Biology)

  2. University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Howard D. Lipshitz (Senior Scientist and Head, Professor of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Canada Research Chair in Developmental Biology) (Senior Scientist and Head, Professor of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Canada Research Chair in Developmental Biology)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2004 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

von Allmen, G. et al. (2004). Splits in Fruitfly Hox Gene Complexes. In: Lipshitz, H.D. (eds) Genes, Development and Cancer. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8981-9_23

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8981-9_23

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-4746-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-8981-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation