Developmental Toolkit

Question 1

HOX gene

Answer 1

Responsible for anterior-posterior (head-to-tail) patterning in the body plan of flies, humans and nematodes.
-shows the conservation of the developmental toolkit in species with different body plans.
-Distribution of DNA methylases shows the diversification of developmental toolkits in organisms with similar body plans.
-DNA methylation patterns are important signals for transcription control in vertebrate development and tissue differentiation.

Question 2

PAX 6

Answer 2

In humans- required for proper eyes development in Drosophila- can transform embryonic wing tissues into the ectopic eye
-Despite differences in eye anatomy, in vertebrates insects and octopuses, the visual system arose from a common ancestor