Tiny cell “antennas” may help explain why some babies are born with heart defects

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen discovered a signaling hub of proteins TAK1, TAB2, and PKA-Cα in the primary cilium that influences heart formation in embryos. Mutations in these proteins disrupt heart development, potentially explaining some congenital defects that affect 2.3–2.5 million newborns annually.

• Primary cilium works as an antenna, capturing signals for cells
• Proteins TAK1, TAB2, and PKA-Cα form a signaling hub in the cilium
• Mutations were tested on data from thousands of patients, zebrafish, and stem cells
• Congenital heart defects are diagnosed in 2 out of 100 newborns worldwide