A brain region-specific gene product Lhx6.1 interacts with Ldb1 through tandem LIM-domains

LIM-homeodomain (LHX) transcription factors play critical roles in cell fat e determination during development, in particular, in CNS, The transcriptio nal activity of several LHX proteins is postulated to be regulated by inter action with an LIM-domain binding protein, Ldb1, We have now identified a n ovel LHX molecule, termed Lhx6.1, that is closely related to a recently rep orted Lhx6 molecule. The Lhx6.1 transcript is found in several restricted r egions in the developing CNS, mostly within the embryonic forebrain, We fur ther show that Lhx6.1 interacts with Ldb1 through tandem LIM-domains, imply ing transcriptional regulation of Lhx6.1 by Ldb1.