Figure 2.

Protein sequences and expression patterns of the Japanese lamprey Pax6 genes. (a) Comparison of the amino acid sequences of LjPax6α, LjPax6β and LjPax6γ with human (Hs) PAX6. All three LjPax6 genes encode a highly conserved paired domain (solid black line), in contrast to known Pax6.2 (also referred to as Pax10¹⁴) genes which lack the sequences coding for this domain, as well as a highly conserved homeodomain (dotted grey line) and C-terminal transactivation domain. No evidence was found for the presence of the alternative exon 5a in the lamprey genes. The positions of the exon boundaries (black arrow head, phase 0 intron; open arrow head, phase 1 intron) are conserved between the human and lamprey genes. (b) qRT-PCR analysis using a panel of adult lamprey tissues showing the tissue-specific expression pattern of the LjPax6 genes. All three genes are highly expressed in the eye and brain, with lower and variable expression in other tissues.