背景
Homeobox-containing genes are thought to have a role in controlling development. In
Drosophila, the 'engrailed' (en) gene plays an important role during development in
segmentation, where it is required for the formation of posterior compartments. Different
mutations in the mouse homologs, En1 and En2, produced different developmental defects
that frequently are lethal. The human engrailed homologs 1 and 2 encode homeodomaincontaining proteins and have been implicated in the control of pattern formation during
development of the central nervous system.
