In: Biology
Hox genes are hypothesized to have originated in the common ancestor of all complex animals because even in distantly related animals, the role of specific Hox genes are sometimes very similar. In the “Genes Control Body Segmentation” video, what evidence was provided in support of this hypothesis?
Hox gene firstly discovered in fruit flies and plays an important role in the regulating the body formation during the process of development .They belong to the homeotic gene family and characterised by the DNA sequence of 180 bp called as Homeobox.
These are the ancient genes and highly conserved in the nature but certain deletion and duplication in this gene cause drastic changes in the organism in evolution period . Hox gene control the polarity of the embryo , body segmentation , anterior posterior body axis during embryogenesis.Any change in these genes result in homeotic transformation in which one body part or sgment is replaced by other or duplication may also happen. In Drosophila the mutation in antennapedia gene clustre result in formation of leg in the place of antennae.vertebrates also have 4 kind of Hox gene clustre namely A,B,C,D involved in developmental process.Mutation in human Hox gene results in limb development defects.