What is a homeotic gene?

Question

Maya Anderson · Accepted Answer

Homeotic genes are genes which regulate the developement of anatomical structure in various organisms.

This set of genes controls the pattern of body formation during early embryonic development. The regulation is accomplished by the programming of different transcription factors by the homeotic genes, and these factors affect genes through regulatory genetic pathways. An organism will not develop normally if a mutation takes place in any of the homeotic genes' homeo boxes, which are sequences of DNA that encode a segment of 60 amino acids within the homeotic transcription factor protein.

Julian Aguilar · Answer

undefined A homeotic gene is a type of regulatory gene that controls the development of anatomical structures in organisms. These genes determine the body plan of an organism by specifying the identity of body segments and the structures that will develop in each segment. Homeotic genes encode transcription factors that regulate the expression of other genes involved in development. They play a crucial role in embryonic development and are highly conserved across species. Mutations in homeotic genes can lead to significant developmental abnormalities, such as transformations of one body part into another.