Six6 - sine oculis-related homeobox 6

This gene encodes a homeobox protein that is similar to the Drosophila 'sine oculis' gene product. This gene is found in a cluster of related genes on chromosome 12 and is thought to be involved in eye development. The encoded transcription factor regulates early progenitor cell proliferation during mammalian retinogenesis and pituitary development. Mice lacking this gene exhibit abnormal development of the suprachiasmatic nucleus and circadian rhythms. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2015]