The shark HoxN cluster is homologous to the human HoxD cluster

J Mol Evol. 2004 Feb;58(2):212-7. doi: 10.1007/s00239-003-2545-z.

Abstract

The statistical analysis of phylogenetic footprints in the two known horn shark Hox clusters and the four mammalian clusters shows that the shark HoxN cluster is HoxD-like. This finding implies that the most recent common ancestor of jawed vertebrates had at least four Hox clusters, including those which are orthologous to the four mammalian Hox clusters.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Conserved Sequence / genetics
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Genes, Homeobox / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Phylogeny*
  • Sequence Homology
  • Sharks / genetics*