TBX20

rdf:langString TBX20

rdf:langString TBX20 (gene)is a member of the T-box family that encodes the transcription factor TBX20. Studies in mouse, human and fruitfly have shown that this gene is essential for early heart development, adult heart function and yolk sac vasculature remodeling and has been associated with congenital heart diseases. Tbx20 was also shown to be required for migration of hindbrain motor neurons and in facial neurons was proposed to be a positive regulator of the non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Tbx20 is a transcription factor that is essential for proper heart development in a growing fetus. Any mutations in this gene can result in various forms of congenital heart disease. One of the more serious examples is the presence of a septal defect. The interatrial septum is a piece of tissue that separates the left and right atria of the heart, which contain oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, respectively. In Tbx20 mutants, this divider does not form and results in deoxygenated blood flowing into the left atrium then left ventricle, which ships the blood to the organs and muscles. Since deoxygenated blood should not be delivered to the tissues, the result is cyanosis, or a bluish skin discoloration stemming from low oxygen concentration. Proper function of Tbx20 is essential because it controls other genes that regulate cardiomyocyte proliferation, such as Tbx2 and N-myc1. Cardiomyocytes are the basis for the correct architectural scheme of the heart, and if defects arise in these structures, proper heart development is likely unattainable.