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Published on: August 8, 2022
Two novel HAND1 mutations in Chinese patients with ventricular septal defect
Zhi Cheng1, Lin Lib, Zhongzhi Li
1Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Insights
This study identified two novel HAND1 gene mutations in Chinese patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), specifically ventricular septal defects (VSD). These findings offer new insights into the genetic causes of VSD.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
- Cardiology
Background:
- The HAND1 gene is crucial for heart development.
- HAND1 mutations are linked to congenital heart disease (CHD), including septal defects.
- Further research is needed on the full spectrum of CHD associated with HAND1 mutations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate HAND1 gene mutations in Chinese patients with CHD.
- To identify novel mutations and understand their role in ventricular septal defects (VSD).
Main Methods:
- Screening of HAND1 coding regions in 498 Chinese CHD patients and 250 controls.
- Identification and characterization of novel non-synonymous mutations.
Main Results:
- Two novel HAND1 mutations (c.217G>A and c.456G>T) were found in patients with VSD.
- These mutations affect evolutionarily conserved residues and enhance HAND1 homodimerization.
- This is the first report of HAND1 mutations in Chinese VSD patients.
Conclusions:
- The identified HAND1 mutations contribute to the genetic etiology of VSD in the Chinese population.
- These findings expand our understanding of HAND1's role in heart development and VSD pathogenesis.
Background:
The HAND1 gene encodes a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor which plays an essential role in the development of heart. Mutations in HAND1 have been identified in congenital heart disease (CHD) patients with hypoplastic hearts and septal defects. The spectrum of CHD relating to HAND1 mutations needs further study.
Methods And Results:
We screened HAND1 coding regions for mutations in 498 Chinese patients with CHD and 250 control subjects. We identified two novel non-synonymous mutations, c.217G>A (p.Gly73Ser) and c.456G>T (p.Lys152Asn), in the patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD). The two mutations were located in HAND1 evolutionarily conserved residues and enhanced the capability of HAND1 to form homodimers.
Conclusions:
This is the first report of mutations in the HAND1 gene in Chinese patients with VSD and provides new insight into the etiology of VSD.
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