Hmx3a Has Essential Functions in Zebrafish Spinal Cord, Ear and Lateral Line Development.

ABSTRACT: Transcription factors that contain a homeodomain DNA-binding domain have crucial functions in most aspects of cellular function and embryonic development in both animals and plants. Hmx proteins are a subfamily of NK homeodomain-containing proteins that have fundamental roles in development of sensory structures such as the eye and the ear. However, Hmx functions in spinal cord development have not been analyzed. Here, we show that zebrafish (Danio rerio) hmx2 and hmx3a are coexpressed in spinal dI2 and V1 interneurons, whereas hmx3b, hmx1, and hmx4 are not expressed in spinal cord. Using mutational analyses, we demonstrate that, in addition to its previously reported role in ear development, hmx3a is required for correct specification of a

SUBMITTER: England SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7768253 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature