Molecular analysis of specification along anteiroposterior axis in body of vertebrates

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During embryogenesis of vertebrates, the repeated and segmental structure, somites, are formed, and subsequently specification along the anteroposterior axis is established in vertebrates, Hox genes have been known to play roles in the specification of identity along the anteroposterior axis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this ordered expression patterns of Hox genes remains poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed the zebrafish mutant and identified candidate genes by genetic analyses. In addition, we analyzed the transcriptional regulation of hairy-related gene, which play important roles in the somite patterning. The DNA region downstream of hairy-related gene shows enhancer activity, consistent with the endogenous gene expression. At present, we further proceed toanalyze this DNA region.