TALE class homeodomain gene Irx5 is an immediate downstream target for Hoxb4 transcriptional regulation.

The Hox genes are a family of homeodomain-containing transcription factors that determine anteroposterior identity early on in development. Although much is now known about their regulation and function, very little is known of their effector (downstream target) genes. Here, we show that the TALE class homeodomain transcription factor Irx5 is a direct, positively regulated target of Hoxb4. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.