While there is usually little doubt about the function of the coding transcript, the function of
the lncRNA partner is mostly untested. Here we examine the function of the homeotic Evx1-
Evx1as gene locus. Expression is tightly co-regulated in posterior mesoderm of mouse
embryos and in embryoid bodies. Expression of both genes is enhanced by BMP4 and
WNT3A, and reduced by Activin. We generated a suite of deletions in the locus by CRISPR …