Molecular characterization of early cardiac development.

摘要: Heart disease is a leading cause of death and disability in the Western world major factor rising health care costs. Despite great efforts remarkable advances made over past years, molecular basis for heart development evolution acquired are still poorly defined (Chien 2000; Srivastava Olson 2000). Approximately 10% spontaneous abortions stillborns caused by severe cardiac malformations (Hoffman 1995a, 1995b). In addition, congenital defects including aberrant outflow septation, valve formation, aortic stenosis or hypoplastic left ventricle prevalent with frequency 8 cases 1000 births. Understanding cellular terms, therefore, clinical relevance. Key genes also important components regulatory circuits adult For example, cardiacrestricted transcription factors such as Nkx2.5 GATA4 have been implicated, both under pathophysiological conditions, heart. its interacting protein partner NFATc identified signalling pathway involved generating hypertrophy (Molkentin et al. 1998). Point mutations human NKX2.5 (CSX) found to multiple atrial ventricular septal defects, Ebstein’s anomaly other tricuspid abnormalities. responsible familial arrhythmias (Schott 1998; Benson 1999). Thus, understanding at level will result identification genetic networks, which active various processes well. further reading on reader referred recent reviews these topics (Chen Fishman Lough Sugi Rosenthal Xavier-Neto