PAX genes: what's new in developmental biology and cancer?

PAX genes encode nuclear transcription factors which are rapidly becoming regarded as major controllers of developmental processes in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Mutations in murine Pax genes underlie three natural mouse alleles and two corresponding human syndromes. Murine Pax genes have been shown to be proto-oncogenes. Furthermore, human PAX genes have recently been demonstrated to play an influential part in some common human cancers. The diversity in effects of PAX genes reflects that of their structure. All encode a DNA-binding domain termed the paired domain and in addition some also encode a second binding domain--the paired type homeobox.