HES1
Description
The HES1 (hes family bHLH transcription factor 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 3.
HES1 (hairy and enhancer of split-1) is a transcription factor encoded by the Hes1 gene, and is the mammalian homolog of the hairy gene in Drosophila. It is one of seven members of the Hes gene family (HES1-7) that code for nuclear proteins that suppress transcription. HES1 is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family of transcription factors and acts as a transcriptional repressor. Its basic domain contains a helix interrupting protein that binds to the N-box promoter region rather than the canonical enhancer box (E-box). As a member of the bHLH family, it influences cell proliferation and differentiation in embryogenesis. HES1 regulates its own expression via a negative feedback loop, oscillating with approximately 2-hour periodicity. HES1 has three conserved domains: the bHLH domain, the Orange domain, and the WRPW motif. Unlike other bHLH factors, HES1 has a proline residue in the middle of the basic DNA binding region.
HES1 is also known as HES-1, HHL, HRY, bHLHb39.
