Prospero homeobox protein 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PROX1gene. The Prox1 gene is critical for the development of multiple
tissues. Prox1 activity is necessary and sufficient to specify a lymphatic endothelial cell fate in endothelial progenitors located in the embryonic veins.
PROX1 is used as a marker for lymphaticendothelium in biopsy samples. It has also been identified as an inhibitor of Müller glia (MG)-mediated retinal regeneration in mice that, when blocked from accessing MG cells, allowed retinal regeneration to occur, suggesting a possible therapeutic research pathway for drugs to treat degenerative diseases (such as retinitis pigmentosa) that lead to vision loss.
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