Hes family bHLH transcription factor 1 (HES1)

HES1 is a protein-coding gene that encodes a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor. It acts primarily as a transcriptional repressor, regulating the expression of genes that require bHLH proteins for their activation. HES1 plays critical roles in embryonic development by influencing cell proliferation and differentiation. It maintains stem cells and progenitor cells in an undifferentiated state across multiple tissues—especially within the nervous system and digestive organs—by repressing proneural or pro-differentiation genes. A key mediator within the Notch signaling pathway, HES1 transduces signals that maintain progenitor pools during organogenesis. Mutations or dysregulation of HES1 have been linked to several diseases including Alagille Syndrome 1—a disorder affecting liver function—and developmental abnormalities such as Strawberry Gallbladder.

Other names

Hairy and enhancer of split-1HES-1

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