The research interests in the Zhong laboratory are focused on understanding the mechanisms of arterial–venous endothelial differentiation, vascular patterning and morphogenesis in zebrafish.  Dr. Zhong and his colleagues have identified the gridlock (grl)/hey gene as a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein, a new class of the Hairy and Enhancer of split (HES) family.  Mutation in grl caused a localized blockade in the aortic bifurcation, where the paired lateral dorsal aortae normally merge to form the single midline aorta, in a manner similar to coarctation of the aorta. The grl gene is expressed in the lateral plate mesoderm prior to vessel formation, and thereafter its expression is specifically restricted to the aorta but not in the vein. The molecular nature and expression pattern of the grl gene suggest that arterial and venous endothelial cells are molecularly distinct at a very early stage prior to vessel formation. Lab members have recently shown that, at the stages of angioblast differentiation, arterial endothelial fate is committed via repression of venous fate. grl may act downstream of Notch signaling for governing the arterial/venous determination.

For more information about Dr. Zhong visit his Vanderbilt Faculty Page

NEWEST PUBLICATIONS

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 acts upstream of myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2a to control embryonic cardiac contractility.  2007 Cardiovascualr Research 74: 290-303