Pituitary gland development is controlled by signals that guide expression of specific combinations of transcription factors that dictate serial determination and differentiation events. One class of factors is paired-like homeodomain factors. Two that have been investigated are the repressor Hex1/Rpx and activator prophet of Pit-1 (Prop-1), which exert selective roles during pituitary development. The opposing actions of these factors provide one aspect of pituitary organogenesis.