Progressive restriction in the distribution of the Hox-1.3 homeodomain protein during embryogenesis

Expression of the murine homeobox containing gene Hox-1.3 was analyzed in mouse embryos using polyclonal antisera to peptides predicted from cDNA and genomic sequences. At the earliest stage examined, 7.5 days gestation, cell nuclei throughout the three embryonic germ layers and in extraembryonic structures derived from the fertilized ovum were strongly immunoreactive. Rostro-caudal gradients or other patterns of regional differentiation in levels of expression could not be seen. Surrounding maternal tissue showed only weak immunoreactivity. At 8.5 days gestation, immunoreactivity was present in all embryonic structures including neural tube, somites and lateral plate mesoderm, ectoderm and endoderm. Immunoreactivity was progressively restricted thereafter. At 17 days gestation, strong immunoreactivity was largely restricted to the nervous system, both central and peripheral. Spinal cord was well stained, with a dramatic reduction in intensity near the junction of spinal cord and brain. In addition to this overall pattern, enhanced immunoreactivity appeared in limited populations of newly-formed neuroblasts of spinal cord and brain, suggesting that Hox-1.3 might serve to regulate the development of specific types of neurons following cessation of precursor cell mitosis.