MOX1, also known as MEOX1, is a member of a subfamily of non-clustered, diverged, antennapedia-like homeobox-containing genes that is first expressed during gastrulation in the early mesoderm and later in presomitic mesoderm, early somites, dermomyotome and sclerotome. Both MOX1 and the related protein MOX2 are required for proper gene expression in all somitic compartments. MOX1 is an upstream regulator of the transcription factors Bapx1, Tbx18, and Uncx and is thus part of a regulatory circuit that functions in the maintenance of rostrocaudal sclerotome polarity and axial skeleton formation.