Lefty (protein)
Lefty (protein)
The Lefty protein, also known as Left-right determination factor, is a member of the TGF-beta superfamily of proteins. It plays a crucial role in the establishment of Left-right asymmetry in developing embryos. The protein is encoded by the LEFTY1 and LEFTY2 genes in humans.
Function
The Lefty protein is involved in the regulation of cell differentiation and proliferation. It is also essential for the development of organ systems and the establishment of left-right asymmetry during embryogenesis. The protein inhibits the activity of Nodal, another member of the TGF-beta superfamily, to control the left-right asymmetry.
Genes
In humans, the Lefty protein is encoded by two genes: LEFTY1 and LEFTY2. These genes are located on chromosome 1 and chromosome 2, respectively. Mutations in these genes can lead to disorders of left-right asymmetry, such as Situs inversus and Heterotaxy.
Clinical significance
Abnormalities in the Lefty protein or its genes can lead to a variety of developmental disorders. For example, mutations in the LEFTY genes have been associated with congenital heart defects, infertility, and certain types of cancer. The protein is also being studied for its potential role in regenerative medicine.
See also
References
Ad. Transform your life with W8MD's
GLP-1 weight loss injections special from $29.99 with insurance
|
WikiMD Medical Encyclopedia |
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
