In this study we describe cloning and expression of CSAL2, a second member of the spalt gene family in chick. All spalt proteins are characterized by the presence of multiple zinc-finger motifs, which are highly conserved. Mutations in HSAL1, a human spalt gene result in Townes–Brocks syndrome (TBS). We show here that CSAL2 is expressed in many of the tissues affected in TBS, including neural tissue, limb buds, mesonephros and cloaca.
