Paired Box Gene 1 (PAX1)

The PAX genes, including PAX1, are a highly conserved family of developmental control genes that encode transcription factors and have been shown to play a role in pattern formation during embryogenesis in vertebrates .

The deduced 440-residue protein has a calculated molecular mass of 45.7 kD. PAX1 has an extra 70-amino acids 5-prime to the paired box domain compared to mouse Pax1. They noted that PAX1 shows greatest similarity to PAX9.Deutsch et al. (1988) identified a 3.1 kb-Pax 1 transcript during murine embryonic development, whereas no transcripts were detected in adult mouse tissues. Detailed in situ hybridization analysis with frozen embryonic sections demonstrated Pax1 transcripts in the perichordal zone of the developing vertebral column.