Transcription factor that is involved in regulation of organogenesis. Seems to be a regulator for SIX1 and SIX6. Seems to act as a corepressor of SIX6 in regulating proliferation by directly repressing cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, including the p27Kip1 promoter. Is recruited with SIX6 to the p27Kip1 promoter in embryonal retina. SIX6 corepression seems also to involve NCOR1, TBL1, HDAC1 and HDAC3. May be involved together with PAX3, SIX1, and EYA2 in regulation of myogenesis. In the developing somite, expression of DACH2 and PAX3 is regulated by the overlying ectoderm, and DACH2 and PAX3 positively regulate each other's expression. Probably binds to DNA via its DACHbox-N domain. Interacts with SIX6. Interacts with EYA2 (By similarity). Expressed in embryo, and at lower levels in the newborn. From 8.5 to 14.5 dpc detected in nervous tissue. In the brain detected at 8.5 dpc within the prospective hindbrain, but not within the developing forebrain or midbrain. At 9.5 dpc expressed within the ventral prosencephalon, hindbrain and forebrain. Expression within the forebrain neuroectoderm flanked the optic vesicle with rostral and caudal restrictions. In addition, dorsal and ventral expression domains were observed within the hindbrain. At 10.5 to 12.5 dpc detected in the dorsal mesencephalon, in addition to the telencephalon and hindbrain. At 14.5 dpc visible in the olfactory bulbs. Detected from 9.5 to 12.5 dpc in the dorsal neural tube with the highest expression near the hindbrain. At 9.5 and 10.5 dpc detected in cells located in the dorsal and ventral neural tube and dorsal root ganglia. Detected during the development of the optic and the auditory systems. At 10.5 dpc, a small ring of ocular staining was observed suggesting expression in the lens pit. At 10.5 dpc expressed in the developing lens epithelium and in the mesenchyme surrounding the retina. However, expression in the lens placode ectoderm was not detected, suggesting that DACH2 is activated after lens vesicle formation. Low levels of expression could also be detected in the peripheral neuroretina at 10.5 and 12.5 dpc. Detected in the otic pit at 9.5 dpc and in the otic endolymphatic duct at 10.5, 11.5 and 12.5 dpc. From 10.5 to 14.5 dpc detected in the developing fore and hind limbs. At 10.5 and 11.5 dpc observed in the anterior and posterior margins and presumptive hand plate of the limb bud. At 9.5 and 10.5 dpc expressed in the limb. At 12.5 dpc is detected in the hand plate with strong expression at the margins of the limb plate. At 14.5 dpc detected in the hand plate and lateral edges of the digits. At 8.5 dpc expression was not detected in the developing somites. In contrast, from 9.5 to 12.5 dpc, expression is detected in a repeated pattern located lateral to the neural tube and in the interlimb bud region suggesting expression in somite derivatives. At 9.5 dpc detected in the forelimb dermamyotome. Also located along the lateral portion of the trunk and within a dorsal domain within the limb bud. At 10.5 dpc expressed in lateral and limb mesoderm. From 9.5 to 10.5 dpc detected in head mesenchyme and the branchial arches. At 9.5 and 10 dpc. expressed in the head mesoderm associated with the developing eye. At 10.5 dpc this pattern appears as a ring of expression surrounding the eye. At 11.5 dpc expression is still detectable in the branchial arches with strong expression at the cranial sinus. At 14.5 dpc mammary gland primordia. Detected in the nasal openings and vibrissae. The DACHbox-N domain forms a structure containing a DNA binding motif similar to that of the forkhead/winged helix domain. Belongs to the DACH/dachshund family.