Pax proteins in embryogenesis and their role in nervous system development

Abstract

The mammalian Pax genes encode a family of transcription factors, which play important roles in embryonic development and organogenesis. During the central nervous system development Pax genes have substantial roles in neural differentiation and regional specification. Pax proteins are expressed in populations of nerve cells within the developing forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain and spinal cord. In this article the fundamental roles of Pax proteins in the embryogenesis are outlined and the temporal and spatial influences of Pax on the formation of the central nervous system are discussed.