The <i>Iroquois</i> (<i>Iro/Irx</i>) homeobox genes are conserved Hox targets involved in motor neuron development.

ABSTRACT: The Iroquois (Iro/Irx) homeobox genes encode transcription factors with fundamental roles in animal development. Despite their link to various congenital conditions in humans, our understanding of Iro/Irx gene expression, function, and regulation remains incomplete. Here, we conducted a systematic expression analysis of all six mouse Irx genes in the embryonic spinal cord. We found five Irx genes (Irx1, Irx2, Irx3, Irx5, and Irx6) to be confined mostly to ventral spinal domains, offering new molecular markers for specific groups of post-mitotic motor neurons (MNs). Further, we engineered Irx2, Irx5, and Irx6 mouse mutants and uncovered essential but distinct roles for Irx2 and Irx6 in MN development. Last, we found that

SUBMITTER: Catela C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11160718 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature