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The role of caudal (cdx) genes in the establishment of pattern along the head-to-tail axis of vertebrate embryos

Reference	BBS/E/B/00001161
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Stephen Gaunt
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	166,783
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/02/2005
End date	31/03/2008
Duration	38 months

Abstract

Hox genes specify development of tissue morphologies along the head-tail axis of the developing embryo. The body plan of a developing mouse, human or chick embryo is specified by 39 Hox genes. These are differentially expressed along the embryo in a series of partially overlapping domains. A central question in developmental biology is that of how these domains are established. We have proposed that these form along instructional gradients of the three caudal proteins (cdx-1, -2 and -4). In support of this, we have shown that (i) cdx-1, -2 and -4 are expressed in gradients along the developing embryo, with these gradients forming by a mechanism of protein decay, and (ii) the position of a Hox gene¿s expression domain along the body can be manipulated by changes in the number of cdx binding sites within its regulatory region. In future work, we plan to characterize the upstream factors that regulate all three cdx genes, and to examine the effect of over-expression of caudal proteins upon anatomical development and Hox gene expression along the head-to-tail axis. Our studies upon the regulation of cdx-1 and -2 have additional value since both genes are implicated in the origins of human colonic tumours.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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