Evaluating the role of Nck adaptor proteins in the endothelial to mesenchymal transition

Abstract

The formation of a functional cardiovascular system depends on a collection of cells undergoing a coordinated endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EnMT) during development. This EnMT is responsible for providing the septations and valves of the mature heart, with defects causing congenital heart malformations. The Nck family of adaptor proteins has previously been linked to heart development, with indications it is through this EnMT process. By measuring well characterized markers of EnMT in a developmental mouse model, and establishing an endothelial cell line, the mechanism behind EnMT signaling in heart development can begin to be elucidated. Understanding the role of Nck in EnMT will provide new insights into the pathways involved in the mesenchymal transition in heart development and extrapolated further to pathological processes utilizing EnMT such as organ and tissue fibrosis.