Pituitary homeobox 3 (PITX3)

Transcriptional regulator which is essential for the differentiation and maintenance of meso-diencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons during development. Besides its importance during development, it also has functions in the long-term survival and maintenance of the mdDA neurons.

Activates NR4A2/NURR1- mediated transcription of genes such as SLC6A3, SLC18A2, TH and DRD2 which are essential for development of mdDA neurons. Acts by decreasing the interaction of NR4A2/NURR1 with the corepressor NCOR2/SMRT which acts through histone deacetylases (HDACs) to keep promoters of NR4A2/NURR1 target genes in a repressed deacetylated state.