How ATF4 helps the heart form
ATF4 a Novel Regulator of Cardiac Development
This project looks at whether the protein ATF4 helps heart muscle cells grow and shape the heart before birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11335696 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use genetically engineered mice that lack ATF4 specifically in heart muscle cells to see what goes wrong during heart formation. They examine embryonic heart tissue with gene-expression and DNA-binding experiments to identify which genes ATF4 controls. Early results show loss of ATF4 causes reduced heart-cell growth, structural heart defects, and activation of cell-cycle arrest pathways linked to p53. The team aims to link these basic findings to human congenital heart problems and identify genes or pathways that could be targeted in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People affected by congenital heart defects or those willing to donate cardiac tissue or genetic information for research would be most directly connected to this work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment for adult-onset heart conditions like typical heart failure or atrial fibrillation are unlikely to see direct, short-term benefit from this developmental biology research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal causes of some congenital heart defects and point to genes or pathways for future diagnosis or therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies link ATF4 to stress responses and preliminary mouse knockouts show heart defects and perinatal death, but translating these findings to human care remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Ju — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Chen, Ju
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.