Global regulation of the Hoxb complex

描述（由申请人提供）：Hox基因是一组在4个簇中的39个基因，它们是指定片段身份的关键转录因子。这些基因的表达模式是不寻常的，因为它在时间和空间上与它们在每个簇内的位置相关，称为“共线性”。这可能是在簇内已经鉴定的元件的结果，当分离时，已经显示出概括了大部分Hox基因表达模式;然而，簇中基因的位置似乎仍然影响其表达特征。为了更全面地理解这些现象，我们将转座子插入到细菌人工染色体（BAC）中，覆盖鼠Hoxb簇的大部分，以努力确定调节Hoxb表达的元件的3'范围。随后，我们正在扫描这些区域，寻找调节功能的证据。一旦鉴定，这些元件的体内功能将通过检查来自其中这些元件已被删除的BAC的Hox标记基因表达来询问。这些实验应该提供大量的新见解Hox基因调控，从而提高我们的理解节段的身份和发展。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Hox genes are a group of 39 genes in four clusters that are key transcription factors in specifying segmental identity. The expression pattern of these genes is unusual in that it correlates temporally and spatially with their position within each cluster, termed "colinearity". This could be the result of elements that have been identified within the cluster that, when isolated, have been shown to recapitulate much of Hox gene expression patterns; however, the location of a gene in the cluster still appears to influence its expression characteristics. In order to understand these phenomena more fully we have inserted transposons into bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) covering large portions of the murine Hoxb cluster in an effort to determine the 3' extent of elements regulating Hoxb expression. Subsequently, we are scanning these regions for evidences of regulatory function. Once identified, the in-vivo function of these elements will be interrogated by examining Hox marker gene expression from BACs in which these elements have been deleted. These experiments should provide substantial new insights into Hox gene regulation and consequently improve our understanding of segmental identity and development.