Forkhead box protein H1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FOXH1 gene. [5] [6]
FOXH1 encodes a human homolog of Xenopus forkhead activin signal transducer-1. FOXH1 protein binds SMAD2 and activates an activin response element via binding the DNA motif TGT(G/T)(T/G)ATT. [6]
FoxH1 is a transcription factor that contains a conserved function in chordates. FoxH1, acts in combination with other transcription factors, as a critical element of node formation in early embryo development. Specifically, FoxH1 plays a role in anterior/posterior determination during gastrulation. By the third week of gestation, cells of the splanchnic mesoderm have migrated to the superior end of the embryo to form the cardiac crescent. The cardiac crescent forms two heart fields; primary heart field and the secondary heart field. At this point in development, the two heart fields fuse to form a primitive, single-chambered heart referred to as the primary myocardium. The secondary (anterior) heart field of these cardiac crescent cells will give rise to the outflow tract and the right ventricle of the mature heart. A model lacking FoxH1 will form a primary myocardium, undergo some amount of looping, but have undefined right ventricles and outflow tracts.
FOXH1 has been shown to interact with DRAP1 [7] and Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2. [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]
Paracrine signaling is a form of cell signaling, a type of cellular communication in which a cell produces a signal to induce changes in nearby cells, altering the behaviour of those cells. Signaling molecules known as paracrine factors diffuse over a relatively short distance, as opposed to cell signaling by endocrine factors, hormones which travel considerably longer distances via the circulatory system; juxtacrine interactions; and autocrine signaling. Cells that produce paracrine factors secrete them into the immediate extracellular environment. Factors then travel to nearby cells in which the gradient of factor received determines the outcome. However, the exact distance that paracrine factors can travel is not certain.
Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 also known as SMAD family member 2 or SMAD2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SMAD2 gene. MAD homolog 2 belongs to the SMAD, a family of proteins similar to the gene products of the Drosophila gene 'mothers against decapentaplegic' (Mad) and the C. elegans gene Sma. SMAD proteins are signal transducers and transcriptional modulators that mediate multiple signaling pathways.
Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 also known as SMAD family member 3 or SMAD3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SMAD3 gene.
SMAD4, also called SMAD family member 4, Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4, or DPC4 is a highly conserved protein present in all metazoans. It belongs to the SMAD family of transcription factor proteins, which act as mediators of TGF-β signal transduction. The TGFβ family of cytokines regulates critical processes during the lifecycle of metazoans, with important roles during embryo development, tissue homeostasis, regeneration, and immune regulation.
SMAD family member 6, also known as SMAD6, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SMAD6 gene.
Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7 or SMAD7 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SMAD7 gene.
Smads comprise a family of structurally similar proteins that are the main signal transducers for receptors of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B) superfamily, which are critically important for regulating cell development and growth. The abbreviation refers to the homologies to the Caenorhabditis elegans SMA and MAD family of genes in Drosophila.
The transforming growth factor beta (TGFB) signaling pathway is involved in many cellular processes in both the adult organism and the developing embryo including cell growth, cell differentiation, cell migration, apoptosis, cellular homeostasis and other cellular functions. The TGFB signaling pathways are conserved. In spite of the wide range of cellular processes that the TGFβ signaling pathway regulates, the process is relatively simple. TGFβ superfamily ligands bind to a type II receptor, which recruits and phosphorylates a type I receptor. The type I receptor then phosphorylates receptor-regulated SMADs (R-SMADs) which can now bind the coSMAD SMAD4. R-SMAD/coSMAD complexes accumulate in the nucleus where they act as transcription factors and participate in the regulation of target gene expression.
The activin A receptor also known as ACVR1C or ALK-7 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ACVR1C gene. ACVR1C is a type I receptor for the TGFB family of signaling molecules.
Activin receptor type-1B is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ACVR1B gene.
Activin A receptor, type I (ACVR1) is a protein which in humans is encoded by the ACVR1 gene; also known as ALK-2. ACVR1 has been linked to the 2q23-24 region of the genome. This protein is important in the bone morphogenic protein (BMP) pathway which is responsible for the development and repair of the skeletal system. While knock-out models with this gene are in progress, the ACVR1 gene has been connected to fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, a disease characterized by the formation of heterotopic bone throughout the body. It is a bone morphogenetic protein receptor, type 1.
Activin receptor type-2A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ACVR2A gene. ACVR2A is an activin type 2 receptor.
Activin receptor type-2B is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ACVR2B gene. ACVR2B is an activin type 2 receptor.
Transforming growth factor beta receptor I is a membrane-bound TGF beta receptor protein of the TGF-beta receptor family for the TGF beta superfamily of signaling ligands. TGFBR1 is its human gene.
Lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the LEF1 gene. It's a member of T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) family.
E3 SUMO-protein ligase PIAS4 is one of several protein inhibitor of activated STAT (PIAS) proteins. It is also known as protein inhibitor of activated STAT protein gamma, and is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PIAS4 gene.
Homeobox protein TGIF1 is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the TGIF1 gene. Alternative splicing has been observed at this locus and eight variants, encoding four distinct isoforms, are described.
MDS1 and EVI1 complex locus protein EVI1 (MECOM) also known as ecotropic virus integration site 1 protein homolog (EVI-1) or positive regulatory domain zinc finger protein 3 (PRDM3) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MECOM gene. EVI1 was first identified as a common retroviral integration site in AKXD murine myeloid tumors. It has since been identified in a plethora of other organisms, and seems to play a relatively conserved developmental role in embryogenesis. EVI1 is a nuclear transcription factor involved in many signaling pathways for both coexpression and coactivation of cell cycle genes.
Forkhead box protein G1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FOXG1 gene.
The Nodal signaling pathway is a signal transduction pathway important in regional and cellular differentiation during embryonic development.
This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.