A 590 kb deletion was induced by cre mediated recombination between Is(2)46Ddu and Atf2tm3Nicj . The deletion encompasses the entire gene desert upstream of Lnp and part of Atf2. At E12.5 mRNA expression levels of Lnp, Evx2, Hoxd13, Hoxd12, Hoxd11, and Hoxd10 are reduced to about 20% of wild-type levels in the developing digits. (J:178930, J:192248)