Abstract: Mammalian HEY gene family and drosophila Hairy genes have similar helix-loop-helix structure, both of which are transcription factors, and they are one of the few target genes found in the Notch signaling pathway. This paper aims at analyzing the characteristics of HEY gene family in its structure and function, clarifying their important effect in cardiovascular development, so as to provide a theoretical basis to reveal the mechanism and molecular regulatory mechanisms of HEY gene family on the cardiovascular development.

Key words: cardiovascular development, gene deletion, HEY gene family, Notch signaling