Cloning, Characterization, And Expression Of Novel Human Heart-related Genes

Proper gene expression and cell growth are critical for the development and survival of all organisms, and defect in their regulation may contribute to a variety of diseases including congenital heart disease (CHD) and cancer. Cardiogenesis is a very complex process that requires precise regulation of gene expression. With the aim of identifying novel genes involved in human heart development and diseases, five novel genes, ZNF382, ZNF359 , ZFP28, ZNF323 and Irx1, were isolated from heart cDNA library. They are mapped to chromosome 19ql3.13, 19ql3.13, 16q22, 19ql3.43, 6p22.3-p22.1 and 5pl5.3, respectively. The former four genes were belonged to Krupple-type Zinc Finger family and Irxl was belonged to Iroquois homeobox family. Both of the families are transcription factors. It was shown that the two family proteins are involved in the cardiogenesis process or cardiac disease. Northern blot analysis and whole-embryo antibody staining indicate that ZNF382 expression is restricted largely to heart tissue suggesting a potential role in heart development and function. In contrast, Irxl mRNA was expressed strongly in kidney, brain, and lung. Whether hIrx1 is involved in heart development like mIrxl and cIrxl remains to be investigated. Different genes (and their protein products) experience changes in their spatio-temporal distribution and level of expression during heart development. Therefore, it is necessary to understand these five genes expression on mRNA and protein levels at different embryonic stages. This study showed the expression pattern of the five novel human genes at mRNA level from embryonic stages to adult.