SOX2 overlapping transcript (SOX2OT) is a long non-coding RNA, containing at least 5 exons. The SOX2

SOX2

SRY -box 2, also known as SOX2, is a transcription factor that is essential to maintain self-renewal of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells....

 gene, an important regulator of neurogenesis

Neurogenesis

Neurogenesis is the process by which neurons are generated from neural stem and progenitor cells. Most active during pre-natal development, neurogenesis is responsible for populating the growing brain with neurons. Recently neurogenesis was shown to continue in several small parts of the brain of...

, lies within one of the introns of SOX2OT. SOX2OT and SOX2DOT (an isoform of SOXOT transcribed from a distal highly conserved element) are expressed in zones of neurogenesis within the brain. It is associated with central nervous system

Central nervous system

The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that integrates the information that it receives from, and coordinates the activity of, all parts of the bodies of bilaterian animals—that is, all multicellular animals except sponges and radially symmetric animals such as jellyfish...

 structures in zebrafish and chicken embryonic brains, and is dynamically regulated during embryogenesis

Embryogenesis

Embryogenesis is the process by which the embryo is formed and develops, until it develops into a fetus.Embryogenesis starts with the fertilization of the ovum by sperm. The fertilized ovum is referred to as a zygote...

. SOX2OT may play a role in vertebrate development.