Abstract
Divergences among homeodomains coded by Hox clusters of human beings have been analyzed with both methods of dynamic programming [I] and hydropathic mass [2). Homeodomains of the anterior genes (Hox A-1 to -4), including the paralogs of Hox B and Hox D, showed more distinguishable divergences than those of the posterior genes (from Hox A-5 to -13). The homeodomains grew exponentially more divergent in progression from the paralogue group I to 13 along a Hox complex. The divergence of homeodomains of Hox B-1 between C. elegans and human was small, but it became larger between those of the posterior genes. It appears that Hox genes should be involved in Von Baer's law.