title: [Expression of Pax-6 homeobox gene in lens epithelial cells in vitro].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To detect the gene expression of Pax-6 in cultured lens epithelial cells (LECs) of mouse in vitro in order to study the gene factor that maintains the LECs characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cultured the LECs (passage 1 to 3) were used in the study, the expression of Pax-6 gene in LECs was demonstrated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemical staining and Western blot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mRNA of Pax-6 gene was positive in primary culture, the first and second passage of LECs using RT-PCR. The protein of Pax-6 gene was also positive in Western blot and immunohistochemical staining, but it was weak positive in the third passage of LECs and none in all passages of negative control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LECs are positive for the gene of Pax-6. The normal expression of Pax-6 gene is vital for maintaining the LECs characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China. juliaxzx@163.com
authors.forename: Yi-zhi
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhao-xia
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Xia-lin
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; C000605732:Pax6 protein, mouse; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012097:Repressor Proteins