Homeobox Genes and Melatonin Synthesis: Regulatory Roles of the Cone-Rod Homeobox Transcription Factor in the Rodent Pineal Gland

Figure 1

Appearance of Otx2, Crx, and Aanat transcripts in the developing rat pineal gland. Otx2 and Crx expression peak around birth [14], at which time Aanat expression is initiated [19]. The spatial and temporal correlation between peaks in expression of Otx2 and Crx and the start of Aanat expression supports that the OTX2 and CRX homeodomain transcription factors induce Aanat transcription [7]. E, embryonic day; P, postnatal day.