NK6 Homeobox Protein 2 (NKX6-2)

In vertebrates, homeobox genes are widely expressed in the developing central nervous system (CNS). Only a few, however, continue to be expressed in the adult brain. Among those are members of the NK family, such as Nkx6.2.

Expression of Nkx6.2 appeared to be tissue specific and developmentally regulated. In day-18 mouse embryos, it was expressed in part of the forebrain as well as in mid- and hindbrain, whereas in the adult CNS, expression was most abundant in areas rich in oligodendrocyte cell bodies and astrocytes. Together with DNA binding assays, these expression studies suggested that the Nkx6.2 gene product may be important for differentiated oligodendrocyte function and in the regulation of myelin gene expression.