Transcription factor Klf2 and cardiovascular disease
- Ralf ADAMS, Max Plank Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster (Germany)
- Martin SCHWARTZ, Yale University, New Haven (USA) and University of Manchester (UK)
- Sarah DEVAL, University of Oxford (UK)
- Mukesh JAIN, Brown University, Rhode Island (USA)
- Mark KAHN, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (USA)
- Michael POTENTE, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH) (Germany)
Transcription factors are a wide number of proteins that initiate and regulate the process of converting, or transcribing, DNA (the essential material of genes) into RNA (the copy of DNA used to direct the making-or coding- of all other proteins). This Leducq network will thoroughly study one transcription factor called Kruppel-like factor (Klf) 2. The TNE scientists note that Klf2 has a central role in many cardiovascular processes, and works in the lining of arteries, in the lymph system and in the brain’s blood vessels. The network brings together a group of investigators with expertise in vascular biomechanics, metabolism, gene transcription, mouse genetics and disease models to understand Klf2 regulation and function in these diverse biologic settings. They believe that a strong molecular focus on this single factor is required to make true breakthrough discoveries about human cardiovascular disease.