Molecular signaling mechanisms underlying cardiovascular and branchial morphogenesis

1.内皮素-1 （ET-1）是通过诱导Dlx5/6同源盒转录因子调控背腹侧鳃弓形成的关键因子，因此ET-1似乎参与了该区域的基本形态发生程序。dHAND是ET-1信号下游的一个碱基-螺旋-环-螺旋转录因子，被证明参与了血管平滑肌分化的中间过渡。Calpain6被认为是ET-1/dHAND通路下游的一个因子，可能通过修饰细胞骨架参与细胞的形态发生和增殖。TAZ已被确定为Pax3的转录辅激活因子，Pax3是一种参与神经嵴发育的配对型转录因子。已经建立了由ETA受体基因启动子驱动EGFP和TVA（禽逆转录病毒受体）表达的转基因小鼠，为心血管系统和神经嵴发育的研究提供了有用的工具。

1.Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has emerged as a key factor that regulates dorsoventral branchial arch patterning through the induction of Dlx5/6 homoebox transcription factors, thereby ET-1 appears to be involved in basic program of morphogenesis in this region.2.dHAND, a basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factor downstream to the ET-1 signaling, proved to be involved in the intermediate transition of vascular smooth muscle differentiation.3.Calpain6 has been identified as a factor downstream to the ET-1/dHAND pathway, which may participate in cell morphogenesis and proliferation by modification of cytoskeleton.4.TAZ has been identified as a transcriptional coactivator of Pax3, a Paired-type transcription factor involved in neural crest development.5.Transgenic mice in which EGFP and TVA (a receptor for avian retrovirus) expression are driven by the ETA receptor gene promoter has been established and served as a useful tool for researches on the cardiovascular system and neural crest development.