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 specific function of the paired box 9 gene is unknown but it may involve development of stratified squamous epithelia as well as various organs and skeletal elements. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].
Kist, Watson, Wang, Cairns, Miles, Reid, Peters: "Reduction of Pax9 gene dosage in an allelic series of mouse mutants causes hypodontia and oligodontia." in: Human molecular genetics, Vol. 14, Issue 23, pp. 3605-17, (2005) (PubMed).
Gerber, Richter, Kremmer, Adamski, Höfler, Balling, Peters: "Progressive loss of PAX9 expression correlates with increasing malignancy of dysplastic and cancerous epithelium of the human oesophagus." in: The Journal of pathology, Vol. 197, Issue 3, pp. 293-7, (2002) (PubMed).