Sox genes comprise a family of genes that are related to the mammalian sex determining gene SRY. These genes similarly contain sequences that encode for the HMG-box domain, which is responsible for the sequence-specific DNA-binding activity. Sox genes encode putative transcriptional regulators implicated in the decision of cell fates during development and the control of diverse developmental processes. The highly complex group of Sox genes cluster at least 40 different loci that rapidly diverged in various animal lineages. At present, 30 Sox genes have been identified. Members of this family have been shown to be conserved during evolution and to play key roles during animal development. Some are involved in human diseases, including sex reversal. Sox-18 is a 384 amino acid nuclear protein that contains one HMG box DNA-binding domain and belongs to the Sox family of transcriptional regulators.
