The purpose of the present study is to understand the mechanisms underlying establishment and differentiation of the cardiac muscle cell lineage in the avian embryo. Using this model system, the applicant has previously demonstrated the timing of activation of cardiac-specific transcriptional machinery, the differentiation of early mesodermal cells from the heart forming area when explanted in culture, and the expression of cardiac-specific members of the myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) family. The proposed investigation is designed to: (1) identify and clone candidate factors of the cardiac-specific regulatory cascade, using subtractive hybridization techniques; (2) identify and clone genes for members of the MEF2 family whose expression precedes or coincides with the assignment of cardiogenic fate and to assess their role in the determination and maintenance of the cardiac cell lineage; and (3) characterize candidate genes for the ability of their products to contribute to the determination and/or maintenance of the cardiogenic lineage.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL053573-04
Application #
2750453
Study Section
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research A Study Section (CVA)
Project Start
1995-08-01
Project End
1999-07-31
Budget Start
1998-09-05
Budget End
1999-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Suny Downstate Medical Center
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Brooklyn
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11203