PAX8
PAX8 (paired box 8, also written PAX-8) is a nuclear transcription factor of the paired box family. It drives thyroid-specific gene expression and helps maintain the functional differentiation of thyroid cells. Browse Assay Genie's current range of PAX8 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
PAX8 is a transcription factor that controls the thyroid-specific expression of genes found exclusively in the thyroid cell type. By doing so it maintains the functional differentiation of these cells. It is a nuclear protein and is involved in the development of thyroid follicular cells as well as in the expression of thyroid-specific genes.
The PAX8 gene encodes a member of the paired box (PAX) family of transcription factors. Proteins in this family typically contain a paired box domain, an octapeptide and a paired-type homeodomain. HGNC places the gene in the PRD class homeoboxes and pseudogenes group and in the paired boxes group. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described, which is worth bearing in mind when choosing a PAX8 antibody or designing an expression study. Mouse and rat both carry a Pax8 ortholog, so the gene can be studied in common rodent models.
PAX8 was formerly named paired box gene 8, and PAX-8 is a recognised alias. Mutations in the PAX8 gene have been associated with thyroid dysgenesis, thyroid follicular carcinomas and atypical follicular thyroid adenomas. This makes the PAX8 protein a frequent subject in studies of thyroid development and thyroid disease. Related family members such as PAX2, PAX3, PAX5, PAX6 and PAX9 share the paired box architecture but have distinct roles.
PAX8 is involved in thyroid follicular cell development, so it is a key factor for studying how thyroid cells form and differentiate.
PAX8 drives expression of genes found only in thyroid cells, making it a model for tissue-restricted transcriptional control.
Mutations in PAX8 have been associated with thyroid dysgenesis, linking this transcription factor to congenital thyroid disorders.
PAX8 mutations have been associated with thyroid follicular carcinomas and atypical follicular thyroid adenomas, supporting its use in thyroid neoplasia studies.
PAX8 is a transcription factor that regulates the thyroid-specific expression of genes found only in the thyroid cell type. It maintains the functional differentiation of thyroid cells and is involved in thyroid follicular cell development. It acts in the nucleus.
PAX8 is also written PAX-8, and its previous name was paired box gene 8. UniProt calls the protein Paired box protein Pax-8. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described for the gene.
Mutations in PAX8 have been associated with thyroid dysgenesis, thyroid follicular carcinomas and atypical follicular thyroid adenomas. Mouse and rat both have a Pax8 ortholog; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other paired box transcription factors from the PAX family with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q06710; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.