PAX2 Gene

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1		Lily Guo	+ 470 word(s)	470	2020-12-15 08:03:48

This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/pax2

paired box 2

genes

1. Introduction

The PAX2 gene belongs to a family of genes that plays a critical role in the formation of tissues and organs during embryonic development. The members of the PAX gene family are also important for maintaining the normal function of certain cells after birth. To carry out these roles, the PAX genes provide instructions for making proteins that attach to specific areas of DNA and help control the activity (expression) of particular genes. On the basis of this action, PAX proteins are called transcription factors.

During embryonic development, the PAX2 gene provides instructions for producing a protein that is involved in the formation of the eyes, ears, brain and spinal cord (central nervous system), kidneys, urinary tract, and genital tract. After birth, the PAX2 protein is thought to protect against cell death during periods of cellular stress.

2. Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

2.1. Renal coloboma syndrome

More than 40 mutations in the PAX2 gene have been found to cause renal coloboma syndrome. Most mutations are specific to each affected family; however, one mutation has been found in multiple affected individuals. This mutation inserts one DNA building block (nucleotide) into the PAX2 gene (written as 619insG). Most mutations occur in the region of the protein that attaches to DNA, impairing its function as a transcription factor. A lack of functional PAX2 protein disrupts the formation of certain tissues (particularly the kidneys and eyes) during embryonic development, causing the signs and symptoms of renal coloboma syndrome.

2.2. Congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract

More than 20 mutations in the PAX2 gene have been found in people with abnormalities of the kidneys and other structures of the urinary system but without the eye problems of renal coloboma syndrome (described above). The urinary system abnormalities vary in severity and are grouped together as congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). The most severe CAKUT abnormalities can cause kidney damage and life-threatening kidney failure.

The effects of CAKUT-associated PAX2 gene mutations are not fully understood, but it is likely that they impair the function of the PAX2 protein, disrupting formation of the kidneys and urinary system during embryonic development. It is unclear why only structures of the urinary system are affected in these individuals.

2.3. Other disorders

PAX2 gene mutations are also found in individuals with abnormalities of the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eyes to the brain. These individuals do not have the kidney anomalies associated with renal coloboma syndrome (described above). As in renal coloboma syndrome, the PAX2 gene mutations associated with eye abnormalities likely disrupt regulation of genes that help direct normal eye development. Researchers are working to understand why mutations in this gene can affect different organ systems in different people.

3. Other Names for This Gene

paired box gene 2
paired box homeotic gene 2
paired box protein 2

References

Amiel J, Audollent S, Joly D, Dureau P, Salomon R, Tellier AL, Augé J,Bouissou F, Antignac C, Gubler MC, Eccles MR, Munnich A, Vekemans M, Lyonnet S,Attié-Bitach T. PAX2 mutations in renal-coloboma syndrome: mutational hotspot andgermline mosaicism. Eur J Hum Genet. 2000 Nov;8(11):820-6.
Bower M, Salomon R, Allanson J, Antignac C, Benedicenti F, Benetti E,Binenbaum G, Jensen UB, Cochat P, DeCramer S, Dixon J, Drouin R, Falk MJ, FeretH, Gise R, Hunter A, Johnson K, Kumar R, Lavocat MP, Martin L, Morinière V, MowatD, Murer L, Nguyen HT, Peretz-Amit G, Pierce E, Place E, Rodig N, Salerno A,Sastry S, Sato T, Sayer JA, Schaafsma GC, Shoemaker L, Stockton DW, Tan WH,Tenconi R, Vanhille P, Vats A, Wang X, Warman B, Weleber RG, White SM,Wilson-Brackett C, Zand DJ, Eccles M, Schimmenti LA, Heidet L. Update of PAX2mutations in renal coloboma syndrome and establishment of a locus-specificdatabase. Hum Mutat. 2012 Mar;33(3):457-66. doi: 10.1002/humu.22020.
Bower MA, Schimmenti LA, Eccles MR. PAX2-Related Disorder. 2007 Jun 8 [updated2018 Feb 8]. In: Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Bean LJH, StephensK, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University ofWashington, Seattle; 1993-2020. Available fromhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1451/
Capone VP, Morello W, Taroni F, Montini G. Genetics of Congenital Anomalies ofthe Kidney and Urinary Tract: The Current State of Play. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Apr 11;18(4). pii: E796. doi: 10.3390/ijms18040796. Review.
Daniel L, Lechevallier E, Giorgi R, Sichez H, Zattara-Cannoni H,Figarella-Branger D, Coulange C. Pax-2 expression in adult renal tumors. HumPathol. 2001 Mar;32(3):282-7.
Eccles MR, He S, Legge M, Kumar R, Fox J, Zhou C, French M, Tsai RW. PAX genesin development and disease: the role of PAX2 in urogenital tract development. IntJ Dev Biol. 2002;46(4):535-44. Review.
Galvez-Ruiz A, Lehner AJ, Galindo-Ferreiro A, Schatz P. Three New PAX2 GeneMutations in Patients with Papillorenal Syndrome. Neuroophthalmology. 2017 May8;41(5):271-278. doi: 10.1080/01658107.2017.1307995.
Muratovska A, Zhou C, He S, Goodyer P, Eccles MR. Paired-Box genes arefrequently expressed in cancer and often required for cancer cell survival.Oncogene. 2003 Sep 11;22(39):7989-97.
Schimmenti LA, Manligas GS, Sieving PA. Optic nerve dysplasia and renalinsufficiency in a family with a novel PAX2 mutation, Arg115X: furtherophthalmologic delineation of the renal-coloboma syndrome. Ophthalmic Genet. 2003Dec;24(4):191-202.
Sharma R, Sanchez-Ferras O, Bouchard M. Pax genes in renal development,disease and regeneration. Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2015 Aug;44:97-106. doi:10.1016/j.semcdb.2015.09.016.

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Subjects: Genetics & Heredity

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Lily Guo

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Entry Collection: MedlinePlus

Update Date: 25 Dec 2020

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