CRX (gene)

Cone-rod homeobox protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the "CRX" gene. 
Function.
The protein encoded by this gene is a photoreceptor-specific transcription factor which plays a role in the differentiation of photoreceptor cells. This homeodomain protein is necessary for the maintenance of normal cone and rod function. Mutations in this gene are associated with photoreceptor degeneration, Leber's congenital amaurosis type III and the autosomal dominant cone-rod dystrophy 2. Several alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene have been described, but the full-length nature of some variants has not been determined.
Evolution.
"CRX" is a divergent duplicate of OTX produced during the 2 rounds of vertebrate whole genome duplication.
In the eutherian mammals, "CRX" has again duplicated by tandem gene duplication, with six ancestral duplicates, which are collectively referred to as ETCHbox genes.