Scientists Discover Novel Hormone Essential for Heart Development

Scientists at A*STAR's Institute of Medical Biology (IMB) and Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology (IMCB) have identified a gene encoding a hormone that could potentially be used as a therapeutic molecule to treat heart diseases. The hormone, which they have chosen to name ELABELA is only 32 amino-acids long, making it amongst the tiniest proteins made by the human body.
A team of scientist led by Dr. Bruno Reversade, carried out experiments to determine ELABELA'S function. They used zebrafish designed to specifically lack this particular hormone, they discovered ELABELA is for heart formation. Zebrafish embryos without the gene present, had rudimentary or no heart at all. This was the first time scientist have discovered a hormone playing such a early role during embryogenesis, effectively orchestrating the development of an organ. The team also discovered that ELABELA uses a receptor called APJ or Apelin Receptor. The APJ receptor has 2 functions, it conveys signals from ELABELA and from APELIN.

ELABELA is also found to be expressed in human embryonic stem cells, indicating it might have other functions besides its role in cardiovascular development. This finding has opened new doors for use of ELABELA. It can be used as a therapeutic molecule for cardiovascular disease to be used for cardiac repair and control of hypertension. Some people may have a harmful copy of ELABELA, so  sequencing and screening for this particular gene in the general population, could help detect predisposition to heart anomalies before the a disease progresses.



A zebrafish embryo seen in 3 phases at its 6-day development as it loses its heart (red arrow) and tail (B, C) due to the absence of the Elabela hormone.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131206101615.htm