The arrangement of homeotic genes along chromosomes of vertebrate and invertebrate animals corresponds to the expression pattern of the genes along the anterior-posterior axis of the developing embryo.
<h3>What are homeotic genes?</h3>
Homeotic genes are a group of body pattern forming genes which control the development along the anterior- posterior axis of the developing embryo.
These encode transcription factors which control and specify the genes involved in body patterning. These provide identity to the segments during embryo formation.
Genes located in the 5’ end act on posterior side whereas the genes on 3’ end act on anterior region.
Homeotic genes are evolutionary conserved and control body specification, patterning and differentiation.
The loss of function of any of the gene changes the body pattern and affects the development.
