Forkhead box protein H1 (FOXH1)

Forkhead box protein H1 (FOXH1) is a DNA-binding transcription factor of the forkhead box (FOX) family characterized by a winged helix domain. It recognizes specific DNA motifs—primarily TGT(G/T)(T/G)ATT—via a unique, extended FH domain fold, which differentiates it from other FOX proteins. FOXH1 functions as a critical regulator of mesendoderm specification and anterior-posterior patterning during embryogenesis, including node formation and cardiac development. It acts as a pioneer factor that binds chromatin even in the context of nucleosomes, facilitating activin and TGF-beta signal transduction through interaction with SMAD2 and SMAD4 to regulate target genes such as goosecoid (GSC). FOXH1 has documented roles in both development and disease, with mutations or dysregulation linked to developmental disorders and elevated expression associated with certain cancers.

Other names

FAST1FAST2Forkhead activin signal transducer 1forkhead activin signal transducer 2Fast-1Fast-2hFAST-1TGF-beta/activin signal transducerforkhead activin signal transducer-1forkhead activin signal transducer-2