A 550 kb deletion was induced by cre mediated recombination between Evx2/Hoxd13tm5.1(Hoxd11/lacZ)Ddu and Tn(sb-SBlac)C.176599bFsp . The deletion encompasses from just upstream of HoxD13 to the proximal half of the gene desert upstream of Lnp. At E12.5 mRNA expression of Hoxd13 is reduced to about one third wild-type level in the distal limbs. The deletion region includes the global control region (GCR), Prox regulatory element and regulatory islands III-V. (J:178930, J:192248)