Xenbase Image ID: 83630

Figure 4. Already-known genes that were identified using the microarray. Gene names are indicated in red and arranged by embryonic stage. Nkx2.5 and GATA4/5/6 are among the earliest heart-related transcription factors (Tonissen et al.,1994, Afouda et al.,2005). Moreover, Nkx2.5 expression is regulated by both XHMGA2 and Smads (Monzen et al.,2008). The RNA-binding protein hermes also regulates Nkx2.5 expression (Gerber et al.,2002). Tbx5, Tbx20, myocardin, and islet1 are transcription factors that interact with Nkx2.5 and GATAs and regulate gene expression in the precardiac region (Stennard et al.,2003, Small et al.,2005, Brade et al.,2007). Both the Notch signal (Notch1, Serrate1, and Delta1) and hyaluronan matrix (Xhas2, Xversican, and XHAPLN3) genes are essential for the correct specification of myocardial cell fates (Rones et al.,2000, Ito et al.,2008). Finally, terminal differentiation marker genes (cardiac troponin I/C/T, MHCa/b, MLC2, cardiac actin, and ANF), which encode principally structural proteins, are expressed (Gurdon et al.,1989, Drysdale et al.,1994, Small and Krieg,2003). Moreover, cardiogenesis is maintained by several secreted factors (Eroshkin et al.,2006, Zhu et al.,2008).Download figure to PowerPoint Image published in: Asashima M et al. (2009) Copyright © 2009. Image reproduced with permission of the Publisher, John Wiley & Sons. Larger Image Printer Friendly View

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