Tbx12, a novel T-box gene, is expressed during early stages of heart and retinal development.

T-box genes encode transcription factors that regulate many developmental processes. We have cloned a novel mouse T-box gene, Tbx12. Tbx12 is the vertebrate homologue of the Drosophila H15 gene and the Caenorhabditis elegans tbx-12 gene. Tbx12 is expressed in extraembryonic tissues such as the amnion and allantois. In the embryo, Tbx12 is strongly expressed in the neural retina and the heart.