DUXO, a novel double homeobox transcription factor, is a regulator of the gastrula organizer in human embryonic stem cells

► We analyzed previously isolated human organizer cells derived from hESCs. ► We identified DUXO - a novel gene highly expressed in the human organizer cells. ► DUXO regulates the expression of organizer related genes. ► We suggest that DUXO is the human equivalent of Siamois - the inducer of the amphibian organizer.