LIM Homeobox Protein 4 (LHX4)

LHX4 encodes a member of a large protein family which contains the LIM domain, a unique cysteine-rich zinc-binding domain. The encoded protein may function as a transcriptional regulator and be involved in control of differentiation and development of the pituitary gland. Mutations in this gene are associated with syndromic short stature and pituitary and hindbrain defects. An alternative splice variant has been described but its biological nature has not been determined.

The deduced amino acid sequence of the first LIM domain revealed 77% identity and that of the second domain revealed 86% identity with the corresponding sequences of the closely related Lhx3 gene. In addition, there was 38 to 56% similarity to other members of the Lhx gene family.