Abstract
The transcription factor Krox-20 has roles in the maintenance of segmentation and specification of segment identity in the vertebrate hindbrain. Overt hindbrain segmentation is a vertebrate novelty, and is not seen in invertebrate chordates such as amphioxus and tunicates. To test if the roles of Krox-20 are also derived, we cloned a Krox-20 related gene, AmphiKrox, from amphioxus. AmphiKrox is related to a small family of vertebrate Krox genes and is expressed in the most anterior region of the amphioxus brain and in the club shaped gland, a secretory organ that develops in the anterior pharynx. Neither expression domain overlaps with the expression of AmphiHox-1, -2, -3 or -4, suggesting that the roles of Krox-20 in hindbrain segmentation and in Hox gene regulation were acquired concomitant with the duplication of Krox genes in vertebrate evolution.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 10 April 2000 / Accepted: 25 May 2000
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Knight, R., Panopoulou, G., Holland, P. et al. An amphioxus Krox gene: insights into vertebrate hindbrain evolution. Dev Gene Evol 210, 518–521 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004270000092
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004270000092