Ppa-pax-3 encodes a divergent paired-like homeodomain protein that does not belong to the Q50, K50, or S50 classes; PAX-3 is required for locomotion and vulval development; in Ppa-pax-3 mutant animals, P(5-8).p die of programmed cell death (like in Ppa-lin-39 mutant animals), whereas P(9-11).p survive and form ectopic vulva-like structures; Ppa-pax-3 is a direct target of Ppa-LIN-39/Hox; Ppa-pax-3 mutants also provide genetic evidence for PAX-3 function in myogenesis.
Predicted to enable DNA binding activity. Predicted to be involved in regulation of DNA-templated transcription. Is an ortholog of C. elegans pax-3. In C. elegans, pax-3 is involved in epidermal cell fate specification; gonad morphogenesis; and hemidesmosome assembly.