A tale of 2 tissues: the overlapping role of scleraxis in tendons and the heart

• Published in: Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology Vol. 92; no. 9; pp. 707 - 712
• Main Author: Czubryt, Michael P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada NRC Research Press 01.09.2014; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Animals; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors - metabolism; Biophysics; Cells; Collagen; Collagen - metabolism; Extracellular Matrix - metabolism; Heart; Humans; Myocardium - metabolism; Organ Specificity; Physiological aspects; Physiological research; Proteins; Stress, Physiological; Tendons; Tendons - metabolism; Tissues; transcription factor; cardiac valves; tendon; valves cardiaques; collagène; matrice extracellulaire; expression génique; collagen; force; facteur de transcription; ECM; gene expression
• ISSN: 0008-4212; 1205-7541
• DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2013-0489

Tissue integrity in the face of external physical forces requires the production of a strong extracellular matrix (ECM) composed primarily of the protein collagen. Tendons and the heart both withstand large and changing physical forces, and emerging evidence suggests that the transcription factor scleraxis plays a central role in responding to these forces by directly regulating the production of ECM components and (or) by determining the fate of matrix-producing cell types. Thus, despite the highly disparate inherent nature of these tissues, a common response mechanism may exist to govern the development, growth, and remodeling of the ECM in response to external force.