... derives from pluripotent stem cells residing in the planarian body in large numbers. It is still obscure how these stem cells are programmed for differentiation into specific cell lineages and how lineage identity is maintained. Here we identify a Pitx transcription factor of crucial importance...

..., the loss of specific neural subtypes may uncover previously unknown behavioral roles for that neural population in the context of the adult animal. Here we show that two homeodomain transcription factor homologs, Smed-lhx1/5-1 and Smed-pitx , are required for the maintenance and regeneration...

[email protected] ) © 2011. 2011 Craniofacial muscle development Cranial mesoderm Genetic regulation Head muscle evolution Tbx Pitx The skeletal muscles of the head, known as craniofacial muscles ( Fig. 1 ), are essential for everyday movements, including those that control facial expression...