PAX4
Encyclopedia
Paired box gene 4, also known as PAX4, is a protein
which in humans is encoded by the PAX4 gene
.
) family of transcription factor
s. 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.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
which in humans is encoded by the PAX4 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
Function
This gene is a member of the paired box (PAXPax genes
Paired box genes are a family of tissue specific transcription factors containing a paired domain and usually a partial or complete homeodomain. An octapeptide may also be present...
) family of transcription factor
Transcription factor
In molecular biology and genetics, a transcription factor is a protein that binds to specific DNA sequences, thereby controlling the flow of genetic information from DNA to mRNA...
s. Members of this gene family typically contain a paired box domain, an octapeptide
Peptide
Peptides are short polymers of amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds. They are distinguished from proteins on the basis of size, typically containing less than 50 monomer units. The shortest peptides are dipeptides, consisting of two amino acids joined by a single peptide bond...
, and a paired-type homeodomain. These genes play critical roles during fetal development and cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
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.