Xenopus Xsal-1, a vertebrate homolog of the region specific homeotic gene spalt of Drosophila

Mech Dev. 1996 Mar;55(1):19-32. doi: 10.1016/0925-4773(95)00485-8.

Abstract

We have isolated an amphibian homolog of the homeotic gene spalt of Drosophila. Like its Drosophila counterpart the Xenopus Xsal-1 gene encodes a protein that contains three widely separated sets of sequence related double zinc finger motifs of the CC/HH-type as well as a single CC/HH zinc finger. The Xenopus gene encodes a fourth double zinc finger and a single CC/HC zinc finger motif that have no counterpart in the fly protein. Alternative splicing of Xsal-1 transcripts gives rise to RNAs coding for either four, three or two double zinc fingers, respectively. The main expression domains of Xsal-1 in early development are confined to distinct regions along the lateral axon tracts within the midbrain, hindbrain, and spinal cord. Outside the central nervous system Xsal-1 is expressed in the facio-acoustic ganglion and in the developing limb buds. The pattern of expression suggests that Xsal-1 might be under control of signals emanating from the notochord and/or the floor plate and that it might function in neuronal cell specification.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Central Nervous System / embryology
  • Drosophila
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Exons
  • Genes, Homeobox*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / chemistry*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Introns
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Xenopus Proteins*
  • Xenopus laevis
  • Zinc Fingers / genetics

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • sal1-A protein, Xenopus
  • salm protein, Drosophila
  • spalt protein, vertebrate

Associated data

  • GENBANK/L46583