Transcription factor with important functions in the development of the eye, nose, central nervous system and pancreas. Required for the differentiation of pancreatic islet alpha cells (By similarity). Competes with PAX4 in binding to a common element in the glucagon, insulin and somatostatin promoters. Regulates specification of the ventral neuron subtypes by establishing the correct progenitor domains (By similarity). Acts as a transcriptional repressor of NFATC1- mediated gene expression (By similarity). {ECO:0000250, ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P63015}. This is the function of ENSG00000007372 (PAX6, paired box 6).