The Pax3 and Pax7 paralogs cooperate in neural and neural crest patterning using distinct molecular mechanisms, in Xenopus laevis embryos.

ABSTRACT: Pax3 and Pax7 paralogous genes have functionally diverged in vertebrate evolution, creating opportunity for a new distribution of roles between the two genes and the evolution of novel functions. Here we focus on the regulation and function of Pax7 in the brain and neural crest of amphibian embryos, which display a different pax7 expression pattern, compared to the other vertebrates already described. Pax7 expression is restricted to the midbrain, hindbrain and anterior spinal cord, and Pax7 activity is important for maintaining the fates of these regions, by restricting otx2 expression anteriorly. In contrast, pax3 displays broader expression along the entire neuraxis and Pax3 function is important for posterior brain patterning without acting on otx2 expression. Moreover, while both gene

SUBMITTER: Maczkowiak F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3755748 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature