Transcription factor with important functions in the development of the eye, nose, central nervous system and pancreas. Required for the differentiation of pancreatic islet alpha cells .PAX6 is the most researched of the PAX genes and appears throughout the literature as a master control gene for the development of eyes and other sensory organs, certain neural and epidermal tissues as well as other homologous structures, usually derived from ectodermal tissues. This transcription factor is most famous for its use in the interspecifically induced expression of ectopic eyes and is of medical importance because heterozygous mutants produce a wide spectrum of ocular defects such as Aniridia in humans. This gene encodes paired box gene 6, one of many human homologues of the Drosophila melanogaster gene prd. In addition to the hallmark feature of this gene family, a conserved paired box domain, the encoded protein also contains a homeo box domain. Both domains are known to bind DNA, and function as regulators of gene transcription. This gene is expressed in the developing nervous system, and in developing eyes. Mutations in this gene are known to cause aniridia as well as Peters anomaly, both ocular diseases.
