Homeobox expressed in ES cells 1 (HESX1)

Required for the normal development of the forebrain, eyes and other anterior structures such as the olfactory placodes and adrenal gland. Possible transcriptional repressor.

Binds to the palindromic PIII sequence, 5'-AGCTTGAGTCTAATTGAATTAACTGTAC-3'. HESX1 and PROP1 bind as heterodimers on this palindromic site, and, in vitro, HESX1 can antagonize PROP1 activation.