Details for: MESP1

Gene ID: 55897

Gene Type:  Protein-coding  - A gene that serves as a template for producing a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, which is then translated into a functional protein.

Symbol: MESP1

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000166823

Description: mesoderm posterior bHLH transcription factor 1

Cell Significance Landscape

Associated with

Significant Cells

Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores for the chosen context(s)

  • duct epithelial cell CL0000068
    CSI 6.14
    rCSI 8.99%
    PRS 98.25
  • tracheal goblet cell CL1000329
    CSI 5.08
    rCSI 11.08%
    PRS 97.21
  • epithelial cell of lower respiratory tract CL0002632
    CSI 4.68
    rCSI 3.63%
    PRS 98.08
  • neural progenitor cell CL0011020
    CSI 4.56
    rCSI 20.05%
    PRS 89.53
  • secretory cell CL0000151
    CSI 4.32
    rCSI 4.51%
    PRS 96.41
  • colon epithelial cell CL0011108
    CSI 3.7
    rCSI 3.87%
    PRS 95.56
  • retina horizontal cell CL0000745
    CSI 3.44
    rCSI 5.24%
    PRS 94.99
  • ionocyte CL0005006
    CSI 3.34
    rCSI 3.58%
    PRS 97.29
  • nasal mucosa goblet cell CL0002480
    CSI 3.21
    rCSI 3.72%
    PRS 96.21
  • OFF-bipolar cell CL0000750
    CSI 3.03
    rCSI 4.15%
    PRS 95.2
  • epithelial cell of lung CL0000082
    CSI 3.01
    rCSI 2.49%
    PRS 97.65
  • acinar cell CL0000622
    CSI 2.74
    rCSI 4.01%
    PRS 98.33
  • lung ciliated cell CL1000271
    CSI 2.43
    rCSI 2.81%
    PRS 93.74
  • fallopian tube secretory epithelial cell CL4030006
    CSI 2.32
    rCSI 2.24%
    PRS 95.87
  • ependymal cell CL0000065
    CSI 2.15
    rCSI 4.37%
    PRS 86
  • basal cell of epidermis CL0002187
    CSI 2.15
    rCSI 3.81%
    PRS 76.04
  • mammary gland epithelial cell CL0002327
    CSI 1.95
    rCSI 6.85%
    PRS 98.26
  • club cell CL0000158
    CSI 1.87
    rCSI 2.74%
    PRS 95.19
  • caudal ganglionic eminence derived cortical interneuron CL4023064
    CSI 1.65
    rCSI 2.92%
    PRS 90.6
  • retinal cone cell CL0000573
    CSI 1.63
    rCSI 2.62%
    PRS 92.2
  • luminal cell of prostate epithelium CL0002340
    CSI 0.9
    rCSI 4.83%
    PRS 98.01
  • respiratory goblet cell CL0002370
    CSI 0.53
    rCSI 5.75%
    PRS 97.88
  • Cajal-Retzius cell CL0000695
    CSI 0.49
    rCSI 3.82%
    PRS 96.59
  • acinar cell of salivary gland CL0002623
    CSI 0.27
    rCSI 6.38%
    PRS 98.43

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this specific cell.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.
Network Configuration

Explore relationships of the current gene. Select an Interaction Source: 'ONTOLOGY' for shared pathways (GO/Reactome) or 'STRING' for protein-protein interactions. Further refine by selecting context genes and comparing Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores between baseline and target cell types and their specific contexts.

Comma-separated if multiple.
Comma-separated if multiple.
Legend:
  • Query Gene
  • Node Color (Target Cell CSI, relative to current network):
    • Very High
    • High
    • Medium
    • Low
    • Very Low
    • CSI N/A
  • Node Size: Proportional to Target Cell CSI magnitude
  • STRING PPI Edge
  • Shared Pathway Edge (ONTOLOGY)

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Other Information

This section provides additional information about the gene, including a description generated by an AI language model and details about associated proteins.

## Summary [MESP1](/details-gene/55897) (mesoderm posterior bHLH transcription factor 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 15q26.1. As a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, it is a well-established master regulator of embryonic development, particularly in mesoderm formation and cardiogenesis. Functional annotations confirm its critical role in processes such as [cardiac cell fate determination](/details-ontology/GO:0060913), [gastrulation](/details-ontology/GO:0007369), and the [Notch signaling pathway](/details-ontology/GO:0007219). While its function during embryogenesis is well-documented, expression data from adult tissues reveals a surprisingly high significance in a diverse array of differentiated cell types, including various epithelial, secretory, and neural cells. This suggests that [MESP1](/details-gene/55897) may have additional, uncharacterized roles in cellular maintenance, plasticity, or function beyond its primary developmental context. ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression profile of [MESP1](/details-gene/55897) in adult tissues highlights its significance in cell types not traditionally associated with mesodermal lineages. **Overall**, the gene shows the highest significance in secretory and epithelial populations. It is a top marker for [duct epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0000068) (CSI: 6.14), [tracheal goblet cell](/details-cell/CL1000329) (CSI: 5.08), and [secretory cell](/details-cell/CL0000151) (CSI: 4.32), indicating a potential role in glandular function and mucosal biology across different organ systems, including the respiratory and digestive tracts. In addition to its high significance in epithelial contexts, [MESP1](/details-gene/55897) also demonstrates a notable presence in the nervous system. It is highly significant in [neural progenitor cell](/details-cell/CL0011020) (CSI: 4.56), suggesting a possible function in neurogenesis or the maintenance of neural stem cell populations. Furthermore, its expression in specialized retinal neurons like [retina horizontal cell](/details-cell/CL0000745) (CSI: 3.44) and [OFF-bipolar cell](/details-cell/CL0000750) (CSI: 3.03) points towards a specialized function in retinal signal processing. This broad expression pattern in terminally differentiated epithelial and neural cells contrasts with its canonical role as a transiently expressed developmental factor, suggesting it has been co-opted for diverse functions in adult tissue homeostasis. ## Pathways and Molecular Function [MESP1](/details-gene/55897) functions primarily as a [DNA-binding transcription factor](/details-ontology/GO:0003700), as evidenced by its molecular function annotations and its localization to the [nucleus](/details-ontology/GO:0005634). Its protein structure facilitates [protein dimerization activity](/details-ontology/GO:0046983), a common feature of bHLH transcription factors that allows them to bind DNA and regulate gene expression. The biological processes associated with [MESP1](/details-gene/55897) are overwhelmingly centered on embryonic development. It is a key component of the [Cardiogenesis](/details-pathway/R-HSA-9733709) pathway, involved in virtually all stages of heart formation, from [heart induction](/details-ontology/GO:0003129) and [mesoderm formation](/details-ontology/GO:0001707) to the differentiation of specific cell types like [cardiac muscle cell](/details-ontology/GO:0055007)s. The gene product acts as both a transcriptional activator ([GO:0045893](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0045893)) and repressor ([GO:0045892](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0045892)), enabling it to orchestrate complex gene expression programs. For instance, it is known to participate in the [Notch signaling pathway](/details-ontology/GO:0007219) and negatively regulate the [canonical Wnt signaling pathway](/details-ontology/GO:0090090), both of which are fundamental for embryonic patterning and cell fate decisions. The discrepancy between these developmental pathways and its observed adult expression pattern is a key area for future investigation. ## Research Directions The most intriguing aspect of [MESP1](/details-gene/55897) is the apparent paradox between its established role as a master regulator of embryonic mesoderm and its high significance in adult epithelial and neural cells. This suggests that our understanding of its biological function may be incomplete. Based on the available data, several testable hypotheses can be proposed: 1. [MESP1](/details-gene/55897) possesses a context-dependent, "moonlighting" function in adult tissues, where it is repurposed to regulate cellular plasticity, regeneration, or the maintenance of a secretory phenotype in epithelial cells. Its expression in [neural progenitor cell](/details-cell/CL0011020)s is consistent with a role in maintaining cell potential. 2. The expression of [MESP1](/details-gene/55897) in diverse secretory cells, such as [tracheal goblet cell](/details-cell/CL1000329)s and [acinar cell](/details-cell/CL0000622)s, indicates that it may be a core component of a transcriptional network that governs a generalized secretory program, potentially responding to inflammatory or environmental cues. 3. In the retina, [MESP1](/details-gene/55897) may be involved in the terminal differentiation or functional maintenance of specific interneurons, such as [retina horizontal cell](/details-cell/CL0000745)s and [OFF-bipolar cell](/details-cell/CL0000750)s, contributing to the establishment of specific synaptic circuits. To test the hypothesis that [MESP1](/details-gene/55897) regulates epithelial plasticity and regeneration, a key experiment could involve the use of airway or intestinal organoid models. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout of [MESP1](/details-gene/55897) in these organoids, followed by induction of injury (e.g., via chemical treatment), would allow for an assessment of regenerative capacity. Subsequent single-cell RNA-sequencing could identify the downstream transcriptional changes and determine if the knockout impairs the differentiation of secretory cell lineages like goblet cells. Given that [MESP1](/details-gene/55897) is an intracellular transcription factor, it represents a challenging therapeutic target for direct inhibition or activation with small molecules. However, its high expression in specific cell types, including progenitor cells, suggests it could be a valuable biomarker for cellular states related to tissue regeneration or disease, such as metaplasia or cancer. If aberrant [MESP1](/details-gene/55897) activity is linked to diseases characterized by secretory cell dysfunction (e.g., certain adenocarcinomas or muco-obstructive lung diseases), downstream effectors in its pathway may present more druggable targets.

Genular Protein ID: 2303816979

Symbol: MESP1_HUMAN

Name: Mesoderm posterior protein 1

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

Q9BRJ9 Q9NSF1 Q9NSF2

Database IDs:

AGR 1 AlphaFoldDB 1 Antibodypedia 1 Bgee 1 BioGRID 1 BioGRID-ORCS 1 BioMuta 1 CCDS 1 CDD 1 CTD 1 ChiTaRS 1 DMDM 1 DNASU 1 DisGeNET 1 EMBL 3 Ensembl 1 GO 43 Gene3D 1 GeneCards 1 GeneTree 1 GenomeRNAi 1 HGNC 1 HOGENOM 1 HPA 1 InParanoid 1 IntAct 1 InterPro 3 KEGG 1 MANE-Select 1 MIM 1 NCBI Taxonomy 1 OMA 1 OpenTargets 1 OrthoDB 1 PANTHER 2 PRO 1 PROSITE 1 PathwayCommons 1 PaxDb 1 PeptideAtlas 1 Pfam 1 PharmGKB 1 Pharos 1 PhosphoSitePlus 1 PhylomeDB 1 Proteomes 1 RNAct 1 Reactome 1 RefSeq 1 SMART 1 SMR 1 STRING 1 SUPFAM 1 SignaLink 1 TreeFam 1 UCSC 1 VEuPathDB 1 eggNOG 1 iPTMnet 1 neXtProt 1

Citations:

PubMed ID: 15489334

Title: The status, quality, and expansion of the NIH full-length cDNA project: the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC).

PubMed ID: 15489334

DOI: 10.1101/gr.2596504

PubMed ID: 15122512

Title: Mutated MESP2 causes spondylocostal dysostosis in humans.

PubMed ID: 15122512

DOI: 10.1086/421053

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 268
  • Mass: 28501
  • Checksum: 50508D4AF6EA7CE2
  • Sequence:
    • MAQPLCPPLS ESWMLSAAWG PTRRPPPSDK DCGRSLVSSP DSWGSTPADS PVASPARPGT 
LRDPRAPSVG RRGARSSRLG SGQRQSASER EKLRMRTLAR ALHELRRFLP PSVAPAGQSL 
TKIETLRLAI RYIGHLSAVL GLSEESLQRR CRQRGDAGSP RGCPLCPDDC PAQMQTRTQA 
EGQGQGRGLG LVSAVRAGAS WGSPPACPGA RAAPEPRDPP ALFAEAACPE GQAMEPSPPS 
PLLPGDVLAL LETWMPLSPL EWLPEEPK