The Pax-6 homeobox gene is expressed throughout the corneal and conjunctival epithelia.

Abstract

These data indicate that in addition to its role in the embryo, Pax-6 is expressed strongly in surface epithelia of the adult cornea and conjunctiva. In cells of these tissues, the gene may function by regulating structural or secretory specializations. Pax-6 might play a direct role in the maintenance and proliferation of corneal stem cells, a vital process that appears to be defective in aniridia.