Gsx (gene family)

The Gsx gene family are a group of genes found in many, but not all, animals. Gsx genes contain a homeobox DNA sequence and code for proteins that act as transcription factors. The human genome has two Gsx genes, called "GSX1" and "GSX2" (formerly "GSH1" and "GSH2"), while the fruitfly "Drosophila" has a single Gsx gene called "ind". Vertebrate Gsx genes are implicated in neural patterning. In many animals, Gsx genes can be part of a ParaHox gene cluster.