InterPro domain: IPR015660

Basic helix-loop-helix proteins (bHLH) are a group of eukaryotic transcription factors that exert a determinative influence in a variety of developmental pathways. These transcription factors are characterised by a highly evolutionary conserved bHLH domain that mediates specific dimerisation [ 1 ]. They facilitate the conversion of inactive monomers to trans-activating dimers at appropriate stages of development [ 2 ].

Proteins in this entry include MASH1/Ascl1a and related proteins from plants, worms, insects and mammals. MASH1/Ascl1a is a regulator of axonal growth across vertebrates and can induce modifications to the intrinsic state of neurons to promote functional regeneration in response to CNS injury [ 3 , 4 ].

1. Transcription factors 2: helix-loop-helix. PLoS ONE 2, 621-702
2. The helix-loop-helix domain: a common motif for bristles, muscles and sex. Bioessays 13, 493-8
3. A novel role for Ascl1 in the regulation of mesendoderm formation via HDAC-dependent antagonism of VegT. null 143, 492-503
4. MASH1/Ascl1a leads to GAP43 expression and axon regeneration in the adult CNS. Development 10, e0118918