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The genesis and evolution of homeobox gene clusters
1Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avinguda Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, España. jordigarcia@ub.edu
Nature Reviews. Genetics
|December 13, 2005
Summary
The homeobox gene cluster, including Hox, ParaHox, and NK genes, played a crucial role in the evolution of animal body plans. These gene clusters likely originated from a
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary developmental biology
- Comparative genomics
- Molecular evolution
Background:
- The homeobox gene, particularly the homeotic (Hox) cluster, is a key regulator of animal development.
- Understanding the evolutionary origins of gene clusters is vital for deciphering body plan diversification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary linkage between Hox, ParaHox, and NK gene clusters.
- To elucidate the contribution of homeobox gene clusters to metazoan body-plan evolution.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomics analysis
- Phylogenetic reconstruction of homeobox gene clusters
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests ParaHox and NK clusters were ancestrally linked to the Hox cluster.
- These linked clusters formed an early 'megacluster' of homeobox genes.
Conclusions:
- The 'megacluster' of homeobox genes was instrumental in shaping early metazoan body plans.
- The evolution of homeobox gene organization is central to understanding animal diversification.