Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Dissection and Immunostaining of Imaginal Discs from Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: September 20, 2014
The Msh-like homeobox genes define domains in the developing vertebrate eye
A P Monaghan1, D R Davidson, C Sime
1Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK.
Abstract:
The mouse Hox-7.1 gene has previously been shown to be related to the Drosophila Msh homeobox-containing gene. Here we report the isolation of a new member of this family which resides at an unlinked chromosomal location and has been designated Hox-8.1. Both Hox-7.1 and Hox-8.1 are expressed in the mouse embryo during the early stages of eye development in a distinct spatial and temporal relationship. Hox-8.1 is expressed in the surface ectoderm and in the optic vesicle before invagination occurs in regions corresponding to the prospective corneal epithelium and neural retina, respectively. Hox-7.1 is expressed after formation of the optic cup, marking the domain that will give rise to the ciliary body. The activity of these genes indicates that the inner layer of the optic cup is differentiated into three distinct compartments before overt cellular differentiation occurs. Our results suggest that these genes are involved in defining the region that gives rise to the inner layer of the optic cup and in patterning this tissue to define the iris, ciliary body and retina.
Related Concept Videos
Determination
Conservation of Protein Domains Over Different Proteins
A limited set of protein domains often duplicate and recombine during evolution. These domains can be organized in different combinations to form...
Position-effect Variegation
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
Accessory Structures of the Eye

