SIM1 - SIM BHLH Transcription Factor 1

SIM1 and SIM2 genes are Drosophila single-minded (sim) gene homologs. SIM1 transcript was detected only in fetal kidney out of various adult and fetal tissues tested. Since the sim gene plays an important role in Drosophila development and has peak levels of expression during the period of neurogenesis,it was proposed that the human SIM gene is a candidate for involvement in certain dysmorphic features (particularly the facial and skull characteristics), abnormalities of brain development, and/or cognitive disability of Down syndrome. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]