- Engrailed (gene)
Engrailed is a gene involved in many aspects of multicellular development. First known for its role in arthropod
embryo logical development, working in consort with theHox gene s, Engrailed has been found to be important in other areas of development. It has also been found to direct development in other taxa, for example: humans.Protein
The gene Engrailed (En) codes for the homeodomain-containing transcription factor protein "engrailed." Homologous engrailed proteins are found in a diversity of organisms.
Arthropods
In the model organism "
Drosophila melanogaster " Engrailed acts as a segment-polarity gene in early embryonic development. It is initially expressed in stage 10-11 of development in 14 isolated bands of cells along the embryo's anterior-posterior axis. The cells expressing Engrailed define the posterior most region of each parasegment. Once proper segments form, Engrailed expressing cells are found in the anterior most region of each segment. [Sanson, B. (2001). Generating patterns from fields of cells. "EMBO reports" 2(12):1083-1088]Engrailed homologs have also been found in many other arthropod species including: grasshoppers, milkweed bugs, centipedes, beetles, and others.
Neurological Development
Engrailed plays a number of crucial roles in brain development across many species. Some of these include determining the hindbrain/midbrain border and aiding in neuronal axon guidance. [Morgan, R (2006). Engrailed: Complexity and economy of a multi-functional transcription factor. FEBS Letters 580(11):2531-3]
References
Sanson, B. (2001). Generating patterns from fields of cells. "EMBO reports" 2(12):1083-1088
Morgan, R (2006). Engrailed: Complexity and economy of a multi-functional transcription factor. FEBS Letters 580(11):2531-3
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
