Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 3 (Olig3) is a basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor that coordinatess the specification of dorsal neurons in the spinal cord [, ]. It marks the dorsal neuroepithelium of the hindbrain and is essential for the development of brainstem nuclei [].The bHLH (basic Helix-Loop-Helix) proteins contain the bHLH domain that is approximately 60 amino acids long and consists of a DNA-binding basic region followed by two a-helices separated by a variable loop region (HLH). The HLH domain promotes dimerisation, allowing the formation of homo- or heterodimeric complexes between different family members. Many bHLH proteins have been shown to act as transcriptional regulators [].
