Role of Hox genes in insect development and evolution

Hox genes encode a group of highly conserved transcription factors that play crucial roles in determine regional identity along the anterior-posterior axis in insects. Early studies identified Hox genes as spatially restricted regulators responsible for the proper development of insect body segments and appendages. Over the past two decades, investigations across a wide range of insect species have further demonstrated that Hox genes also regulate the development of distinct specialized structures and contribute to the formation of the nervous system. Substantial evidence suggests that Hox genes not only preserve the fundamental body plan but also contribute to the evolutionary diversification of morphology in insects. This review summarizes the research to date on Hox genes in insects, including their genomic organization, expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and functional roles, and highlights their significance in the morphological evolution of insects.