Quantitative dynamics and increased variability of segmentation gene expression in the Drosophila Krüppel and knirps mutants

► We quantitatively characterize gene expression in Drosophila Kr and kni mutants. ► The spatial shifts of expression domains are more complex than in wild type. ► In Kr mutants pair-rule patterns remain variable in shape prior to gastrulation. ► In mutants positional variability of gene expression domains is increased. ► Gene expression levels are reduced and they tend to decrease over time.