The T-box encodes a 180 amino acid domain that binds to DNA. Genes encoding T-box proteins are found in a wide range of animals, but not in other kingdoms such as plants. Family members are all thought to bind to the DNA consensus sequence TCACACCT. they are found exclusively in the nucleus, and perform DNA-binding and transcriptional activation/repression roles. They are generally required for development of the specific tissues they are expressed in, and mutations in T-box genes are implicated in human conditions such as DiGeorge syndrome and X-linked cleft palate, which feature malformations [2].

1: Crystallographic structure of the T domain-DNA complex of the Brachyury transcription factor. Muller CW, Herrmann BG; Nature 1997;389:884-888. PMID:9349824

2: The T-box family. Wilson V, Conlon FL; Genome Biol 2002;3:REVIEWS3008. PMID:12093383