| 释义 |
homeobox, n. Genetics and Molecular Biol.
Brit. |ˈhəʊmɪəbɒks|, |ˈhɒmɪəbɒks|, U.S. |ˈhoʊmiəˌbɑks|
Forms: 19– homeobox, 19– homoeobox[Brit.]
[‹ homœo- comb. form + box n.2, after homœotic adj. at homœosis n. Derivatives, on account of its discovery first in homoeotic genes of Drosophila fruit flies.]
A distinctive highly conserved DNA sequence of about 180 base pairs which is present in many homoeotic and certain other genes in a wide variety of eukaryotes and which codes for the homeodomain.
1984W. McGinnis et al. in Nature 29 Mar. 433/2 Since faithful copies of the H repeat are strictly delimited and found only in homeotic genes, we now call the H repeat the ‘homeotic sequence’. However, it seems clear that not all homeotic genes carry the homeobox. 1990New Scientist 3 Nov. (Suppl.) 3/1 Once they had found the homoeobox, scientists looked for it in other genes and in other animals. The result was a flood of homoeobox genes. 1994D. Tulchinsky & A. B. Little Maternal–Fetal Endocrinol. (ed. 2) xii. 203/1 The expression of another homeobox-containing gene, Hox-7, was detected in Rathke's pouch of the 10.5-day mouse embryo.
Compounds. homeobox gene n. a gene containing a homeobox (abbreviated Hox).
1990Sci. Amer. July 26/2 The key is a family of genes, known as *homeobox genes, that subdivides the early embryo into fields of cells with the potential to become specific tissues and organs. 2000C. Tudge Variety of Life ii. v. 183 Not all homeobox genes are homoeotic in function, but many are. |