Pbx4, a new Pbx family member on mouse chromosome 8, is expressed during spermatogenesis

Members of the Pbx family are involved in a diverse range of developmental processes including axial patterning and organogenesis. Pbx functions are in part mediated by the interaction of Pbx proteins with members of the Hox and Meis/Prep families. We have identified a fourth mammalian Pbx family member. Pbx4 in the mouse and PBX4 in humans are located on chromosome 8 and chromosome 19, respectively. Pbx4 expression is confined to the testis, especially to spermatocytes in the pachytene stage of the first meiotic prophase.