The emerging genetic landscape underlying cardiac conduction system function

Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2011 Jun;91(6):578-85. doi: 10.1002/bdra.20800. Epub 2011 Apr 28.

Abstract

Proper function of an organized Cardiac Conduction System (CCS) is vital to the survival of metazoans ranging from fly to man. The routine use of non-invasive electrocardiogram measures in the diagnosis and monitoring of cardiovascular health has established a trove of reliable CCS functional data in both normal and diseased cardiac states. Recent combination of echocardiogram (ECG) data with genome-wide association studies has identified genomic regions implicated in ECG variability which impact CCS function. In this study, we review the substantial recent progress in this area, highlighting the identification of novel loci, confirming the importance of previously implicated loci in CCS function, and exploring potential links between genes with important roles in developmental processes and variation in function of the CCS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electrocardiography
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Heart Conduction System / growth & development*
  • Heart Conduction System / metabolism*
  • Heart Diseases / physiopathology
  • Humans