IRX3 is a member of the Iroquois homeobox gene family (see IRX1; MIM 606197) and plays a role in an early step of neural development (Bellefroid et al., 1998 [PubMed 9427753]). Members of this family appear to play multiple roles during pattern formation of vertebrate embryos (Lewis et al., 1999 [PubMed 10370142]).[supplied by OMIM, Aug 2009].
Function: Transcription factor. Involved in SHH-dependent neural patterning. Together with NKX2-2 and NKX6-1 acts to restrict the generation of motor neurons to the appropriate region of the neural tube. Belongs to the class I proteins of neuronal progenitor factors, which are repressed by SHH signals. Involved in the transcriptional repression of MNX1 in non-motor neuron cells (By similarity).