PAX8 is a member of the paired box (PAX) family of transcription factors. Members of this gene family typically encode proteins which contain a paired box domain, an octapeptide, and a paired-type homeodomain. This family plays critical roles during fetal development and cancer growth. PAX8 is involved in kidney cell differentiation, thyroid development, or thyroid dysgenesis.
PAX8 is expressed in a high percentage of renal cell carcinomas and ovarian cancers. This mouse monoclonal PAX8 antibody [BC12] has been designed to target restricted epitopes, and exhibits higher specificity and provides sharper staining than the PAX8 rabbit polyclonal antibody. Unlike the polyclonal PAX8, this mouse monoclonal antibody does not stain B-cells, and does not recognize epitopes of pancreatic origin and neuroendocrine cells in stomach and colon; thus providing superior specificity. The expression of the mouse monoclonal PAX8 target antigens was found in normal kidney, thyroid and cervix, but was not identified in normal ovary. PAX8 stains nuclei exclusively and performs well in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues.