PAX4 Antibody – Rabbit Polyclonal

This gene 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 4 gene is involved in pancreatic islet development and mouse studies have demonstrated a role for this gene in differentiation of insulin-producing beta cells. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

PAX4: Plays an important role in the differentiation and development of pancreatic islet beta cells. Transcriptional repressor that binds to a common element in the glucagon, insulin and somatostatin promoters. Competes with PAX6 for this same promoter binding site. Isoform 2 appears to be a dominant negative form antagonizing PAX4 transcriptional activity. Defects in PAX4 are a cause of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM); also known as diabetes mellitus type 2 or maturity-onset diabetes. NIDDM is characterized by an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance, onset during adulthood and insulin resistance. Genetic variations in PAX4 are associated with susceptibility to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). IDDM normally starts in childhood or adolescence and is caused by the body's own immune system which destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Classical features are polydipsia, polyphagia and polyuria, due to hyperglycemia- induced osmotic diuresis. Defects in PAX4 are a cause of susceptibility to diabetes mellitus ketosis-prone (KPD). KPD is an atypical form of diabetes mellitus characterized by an acute initial presentation with severe hyperglycemia and ketosis, as seen in classic type 1 diabetes, but after initiation of insulin therapy, prolonged remission is often possible with cessation of insulin therapy and maintenance of appropriate metabolic control. Metabolic studies show a markedly blunted insulin secretory response to glucose, partially reversible with the improvement of blood glucose control. Variable levels of insulin resistance are observed, especially in obese patients. Pancreatic beta-cell autoimmunity is a rare finding. Defects in PAX4 are the cause of maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 9 (MODY9). MODY is a form of diabetes that is characterized by an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance, onset in childhood or early adulthood (usually before 25 years of age), a primary defect in insulin secretion and frequent insulin-independence at the beginning of the disease. Belongs to the paired homeobox family. 3 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: DNA-binding; Transcription factor

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 7q32.1

Cellular Component: nucleoplasm

Molecular Function: DNA binding

Biological Process: endocrine pancreas development; organ morphogenesis

Disease: Diabetes Mellitus, Ketosis-prone; Diabetes Mellitus, Noninsulin-dependent; Maturity-onset Diabetes Of The Young, Type 9