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Hey bHLH Factors in Cardiovascular Development

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by DFG grant Ge539/11 and RVZ network (FZ-82).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Developmental Biochemistry, Theodor-Boveri-Institut fuer Biowissenschaften/Biozentrum, Am Hubland, D-97074, Wuerzburg, Germany

    Cornelia Wiese, Julia Heisig & Manfred Gessler

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  1. Cornelia Wiese
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  2. Julia Heisig
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  3. Manfred Gessler
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Correspondence to Manfred Gessler.

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Wiese, C., Heisig, J. & Gessler, M. Hey bHLH Factors in Cardiovascular Development. Pediatr Cardiol 31, 363–370 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-009-9609-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-009-9609-9

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