Hes family bHLH transcription factor 7 (HES7)

Hes family bHLH transcription factor 7 (HES7) is a member of the Hairy and Enhancer of Split (HES) family of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors. HES7 functions primarily as a transcriptional repressor expressed in the presomitic mesoderm, where it plays a pivotal role in the segmentation clock responsible for periodic formation of somites, the structures that later differentiate into the vertebrae and ribs. Its expression is tightly regulated by an intrinsic negative feedback loop, cycling with a period of about two hours, and it is downstream of the Notch signaling pathway, which coordinates cell fate and segmentation timing. Loss-of-function mutations or disturbed expression oscillations in HES7 cause spondylocostal dysostosis and other congenital defects of vertebral and rib patterning, highlighting its essential role in vertebrate embryonic development. It is not currently considered a therapeutic target for small molecules or biologics, nor linked to any approved or experimental drugs.

Other names

Transcription factor HES-7BHLHB37hHes7bHLHb37Class B basic helix-loop-helix protein 37Hairy and enhancer of split 7bHLH factor Hes7SCDO4