Fig. 6: Expression profile of HOX genes.

A Dot plot showing the expression of HOX genes in AP-m, AP-f, FP, and LP. Highly expressed HOX genes are highlighted by a black dashed box. B Dot plot showing the expression of HOX genes in THY1⁺ clusters of these four types of tissues. Highly expressed HOX genes are highlighted by a black dashed box. Note that HOXD 1/3/4/8 are highly expressed in THY1⁺ C0, but not in THY1⁺ C1 for AP-m, AP-f, and FP. C UMAP plot visualizing the expression of HOXD 1/3/4/8 in THY1⁺= clusters of AP-m, AP-f, and FP. D Schematic representation of deer RXFP2⁺ APMCs and human and mouse LEPR⁺ BMSCs. E Dot plot showing the expression of HOX genes in deer male and female RXFP2⁺ APMCs and human and mouse LEPR⁺ BMSCs. Note that HOX genes are highly expressed in LEPR⁺ BMSCs.