Is Sox17 involved in causing congenital heart disease?

The role of Sox17 on endocardium fate determination in cardiac progenitors

Abnormalities in the development of the heart and circulatory system are the most common defects that can be present at birth. Babies born with congenital heart disease may need to have operations throughout their lives in order to repair the defect. Most defects are caused by genetic errors, but many of the specific genes that are responsible have yet to be identified. Dr Kenta Yashiro and Professor Ken Suzuki from Queen Mary University of London will study a gene called Sox17, which may be involved in causing heart defects. This gene is thought to play a particular role in the development of the endocardium – the innermost layer of tissue that lines the heart chambers. Their findings will improve our understanding of how genetic heart defects may be treated or prevented.