Furthermore, the loss of RGCs seen in the transgenic DBA/2J mouse model of glaucoma as well as that induced by ONC injury was reliably identified by PVALB expression changes, demonstrating that PVALB may be used as a reliable RGC marker in different animal models of RGC degeneration to study the pathogenesis of various optic neuropathies. The gene discussed is PVALB; the disease is Optic neuropathy.