The Role of Grainyhead-like 2 (Grhl2) Transcription Factor in Embryonic Development

The World Health Organisation predicts 3-4% of babies born every year have a birth defect. Currently, approximately half of congenital defect cases have yet to be linked to a specific cause. Instead of a single causal factor, these cases are likely due to a complex interplay of subtle changes to gene expression or an increased susceptibility to environmental risk factors. The Grainyhead-like (Grhl) gene family is implicated in numerous developmental defects in humans. Using zebrafish and mouse animal models, this study characterises important roles for Grhl2 in development through novel regulatory pathways, enhancer modulation and environmental interaction.