Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Gene Editing in Bamboo Leaves for Sustainable Plastic Alternatives
Published on: August 18, 2023
Hox and paraHox genes from the anthozoan Parazoanthus parasiticus
April Hill1, Aimee Wagner, Malcolm Hill
1Biology Department, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT 06430, USA. ahill@fair1.fairfield.edu
Abstract:
We surveyed the genome of the Caribbean zoanthid Parazoanthus parasiticus for Hox and paraHox genes, and examined gene expression patterns for sequences we uncovered. Two Hox genes and three paraHox genes were identified in our surveys. The Hox genes belong to anterior and posterior classes. In phylogenetic analyses, the anterior Hox sequence formed an anthozoan-specific cluster that appears to be a second class of cnidarian anterior Hox gene. The presence of an anterior Gsx-like paraHox gene supports the hypothesis that duplication of a protoHox gene family preceded the divergence of the Cnidaria and bilaterians. The presence of two Mox class paraHox genes in P. parasiticus deserves further attention. Expression analysis using RT-PCR, indicated that one Mox gene and the anterior paraHox gene are not expressed in adult tissue, whereas the other three sequences are expressed in both dividing and unitary polyps. Dividing polyps showed slightly lower Ppox1 (i.e., Mox) expression levels. Our data add to the number of published anthozoan sequences, and provide additional detail concerning the evolutionary significance of cnidarian Hox and paraHox genes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Gene Flow
Gene Families
Occasionally these regions can be adapted to take on new roles within the organism, becoming novel genes...
Gene Therapy
What is Gene Expression?
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
Organization of Genes
Gene Conversion

