Hox genes are expressed in spatially restricted domains

Expression of Hox genes in the Drosophila embryo. (a) Schematic representation of Drosophila embryo showing regions where eight individual Hox genes are expressed. (b) Actual image of the expression of seven Hox genes visualized by in situ hybridization. Colors indicate expression of labial (turquoise), Deformed (lavender), Sex combs reduced (green), Antennapedia (orange), Ultrabithorax (dark blue), Abdominal-A (red), and Abdominal-B (yellow). The embryo is folded so that the posterior end (yellow) appears near the top center.

[(b) Dave Kosman, Ethan Bier, and Bill McGinnis.]