The Brachyury protein is required for the proper formation and differentiation of posterior mesoderm and for axial development in all vertebrates. The Brachyury gene encodes a transcription factor that binds to a specific DNA element via its N-terminal region. A protein motif within the DNA-binding domain, the so-called T box, is highly conserved among T homologs from different species and also defines a broader family of T-box genes Brachyury functions during the earlier stages of gastrulation, which suggests that at least one of its early roles is to regulate the morphogenetic behaviour of nascent mesoderm by altering cell autonomous properties.