Molecular cloning and expression analysis of the mouse<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Spot-2</Emphasis> gene in pituitary development

Mouse Spot-1 is a DNA-binding protein with a domain (His-Thr) encoded by p(CA)n repeats. Spot-1 interacts with the nuclear localization signal (NLS) I of p53 through its His-Thr domain. In this study we describe the cloning and expression patterns of a novel gene encoding a protein containing a His-Thr domain, Spot-2. Spot-2 is exclusively expressed in the pituitary from stage E13.5 to E15.5. Mouse Lhx3 plays a critical role during early organogenesis in the pituitary. The Spot-2 gene appears to be a downstream gene of Lhx3. It is suggested that Spot-2 plays important roles in pituitary development.