Caudal-related homeodomain proteins CDX1/2 bind to DNA replication-related element binding factor

► CDX1/2 homeodomains and the DNA binding domain of dDREF were isolated. ► The binding of CDX1/2 and DREF proteins was detected. ► Structural models of the CDX1/2 HD and DREF were predicted. ► Four mutants of CDX1 were bound to DREF with different degrees of interaction.