Paired Box Gene 4 (PAX4)

PAX4 is a member of the paired box (PAX) family of transcription factors. Members of this gene family typically contain a paired box domain, an octapeptide, and a paired-type homeodomain. These genes play critical roles during fetal development and cancer growth. The paired box gene 4 is involved in pancreatic islet development and mouse studies have demonstrated a role for this gene in differentiation of insulin-producing beta cells.

The human PAX4 gene encodes a deduced 350-amino acid protein that is 80% identical to the deduced mouse Pax4 protein. RT-PCR detected mouse Pax4 expression in pancreatic islets and islet beta cell lines, but not in the other 13 adult mouse organs examined.