Transcription factor GATA-4; Transcriptional activator that binds to the consensus sequence 5'-AGATAG-3' and plays a key role in cardiac development (By similarity). In cooperation with TBX5, it binds to cardiac super-enhancers and promotes cardiomyocyte gene expression, while it downregulates endocardial and endothelial gene expression (By similarity). Involved in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-mediated induction of cardiac-specific gene expression (By similarity). Binds to BMP response element (BMPRE) DNA sequences within cardiac activating regions (By similarity). Acts as a transc [...]

Myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2C; Transcription activator which binds specifically to the MEF2 element present in the regulatory regions of many muscle- specific genes. Controls cardiac morphogenesis and myogenesis, and is also involved in vascular development. May also be involved in neurogenesis and in the development of cortical architecture. Isoform 3 and isoform 4, which lack the repressor domain, are more active than isoform 1, isoform 2 and isoform 5 (By similarity). Plays an essential role in hippocampal-dependent learning and memory by suppressing the number of excitatory s [...]

Heart- and neural crest derivatives-expressed protein 2; Essential for cardiac morphogenesis, particularly for the formation of the right ventricle and of the aortic arch arteries. Required for vascular development and regulation of angiogenesis, possibly through a VEGF signaling pathway. Plays also an important role in limb development, particularly in the establishment of anterior-posterior polarization, acting as an upstream regulator of sonic hedgehog (SHH) induction in the limb bud. Is involved in the development of branchial arches, which give rise to unique structures in the hea [...]

T-box transcription factor TBX20; Acts as a transcriptional activator and repressor required for cardiac development and may have key roles in the maintenance of functional and structural phenotypes in adult heart

Forkhead box protein H1; Transcriptional activator. Recognizes and binds to the DNA sequence 5'-TGT[GT][GT]ATT-3'. Required for induction of the goosecoid (GSC) promoter by TGF-beta or activin signaling. Forms a transcriptionally active complex containing FOXH1/SMAD2/SMAD4 on a site on the GSC promoter called TARE (TGF-beta/activin response element)

Myosin regulatory light chain 2, ventricular/cardiac muscle isoform; Contractile protein that plays a role in heart development and function. Following phosphorylation, plays a role in cross-bridge cycling kinetics and cardiac muscle contraction by increasing myosin lever arm stiffness and promoting myosin head diffusion; as a consequence of the increase in maximum contraction force and calcium sensitivity of contraction force. These events altogether slow down myosin kinetics and prolong duty cycle resulting in accumulated myosins being cooperatively recruited to actin binding sites t [...]

Serum response factor; SRF is a transcription factor that binds to the serum response element (SRE), a short sequence of dyad symmetry located 300 bp to the 5' of the site of transcription initiation of some genes (such as FOS) (By similarity). Required for cardiac differentiation and maturation

Heart- and neural crest derivatives-expressed protein 1; Transcription factor that plays an essential role in both trophoblast-giant cells differentiation and in cardiac morphogenesis. In the adult, could be required for ongoing expression of cardiac-specific genes. Binds the DNA sequence 5'- NRTCTG-3' (non-canonical E-box)

Myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2A; Transcriptional activator which binds specifically to the MEF2 element, 5'-YTA[AT](4)TAR-3', found in numerous muscle- specific genes. Also involved in the activation of numerous growth factor- and stress-induced genes. Mediates cellular functions not only in skeletal and cardiac muscle development, but also in neuronal differentiation and survival. Plays diverse roles in the control of cell growth, survival and apoptosis via p38 MAPK signaling in muscle-specific and/or growth factor-related transcription. In cerebellar granule neurons, phosphorylat [...]