Expression pattern of the homeotic gene Bapx1 during early chick gastrointestinal tract development.

•Examination of Bapx1 expression during the development of the chick digestive tract.•Bapx1 is detected in the undifferentiated mesenchyme of gizzard, pylorus and colon.•After differentiation, Bapx1 is expressed in the gizzard smooth muscle.•At later stage, Bapx1 is expressed in the submucosa layer of the colon.•Bapx1 is dynamically expressed along GI tract during smooth muscle differentiation.