Hey bHLH factors in cardiovascular development.
The Notch pathway is now firmly established as a key signaling system for embryonic cardiovascular development as well as some adult pathologies in vertebrates. We have identified Hey bHLH transcriptional repressors as critical, but partly redundant transducers of these signals. Hey proteins control cardiomyocyte differentiation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition of endocardial cells, and a number of key features of arterial endothelial cells with corresponding defects in knockout mice. While most of the phenotypes are described in embryonic development, there is increasing evidence for additional adult pathologies. Despite the functional importance of Hey proteins little is still known about their molecular targets and interactions.
Wiese
Cornelia
C
Developmental Biochemistry, Theodor-Boveri-Institut fuer Biowissenschaften/Biozentrum, Am Hubland, D-97074, Wuerzburg, Germany.
Heisig
Julia
J
Gessler
Manfred
M
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004727:Endothelium / Q000502:physiology; D006321:Heart / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000196:embryology; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009206:Myocardium; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D000072056:Transcription Factor HES-1
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D000072056:Transcription Factor HES-1; C078493:HES1 protein, human