Dachshund Homolog 1 (DACH1)

DACH1 encodes a chromatin-associated protein that associates with other DNA-binding transcription factors to regulate gene expression and cell fate determination during development. The protein contains a Ski domain that is highly conserved from Drosophila to human. Expression of this gene is lost in some forms of metastatic cancer, and is correlated with poor prognosis. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. However, Dach expression in forebrain is unaffected in Pax6 mutant (small eye) mice, indicating that, at least in brain, Pax6 does not directly regulate Dach. The authors concluded that Dach joins a group of homologous eye genes shared by Drosophila and mouse, supporting the concept that a conserved genetic network operates in eye development in diverse organisms.