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Description

Paired box protein Pax-1 (UniProt: P09084) is encoded by the Pax1 (also known as Pax-1) gene (Gene ID: 18503) in murine species. Pax-1 is a transcriptional activator that plays a role in the formation of segmented structures of the embryo and has important role in the normal development of the vertebral column. Mutations in Pax1 gene are associated with vertebral malformations. Undulated homozygous mice exhibits vertebral malformations along the entire rostro-caudal axis. Pax genes are vital for the specification of progenitor cells and for maintenance of progenitor cell fate, including that of cancer cells. Pax1 gene is silenced by methylation in ovarian and cervical cancers and may serve as a tumor suppressor gene. The methylation levels of Pax1 gene is significantly higher in tumor tissues compared to non-tumor paracancerous tissues. Hence, methylation status of Pax1 may serve as useful biomarkers for the detection of cervical cancer and is also a good prognostic indicator for oral squamous cell carcinoma. (Ref.: Huang J et al (2017). Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 14(2). pii: E216).