Atonal Homolog 1 (ATOH1)

ATOH1 belongs to the basic helix-loop-helix (BHLH) family of transcription factors. It activates E-box dependent transcription along with E47. ATOH1 is required for the formation of both neural and non-neural cell types. Using genetic deletion in mice, Atoh1 has been shown to be essential for formation of cerebellar granule neurons, inner ear hair cells, spinal cord interneurons, Merkel cells of the skin, and intestinal secretory cells ). ATOH1 is a mammalian homolog of the Drosophila melanogaster gene atonal. ATOH1 is considered part of the Notch pathway.Colocalization of Math1 with Ki-67 in some proliferating cells suggest that secretory cells (goblet, enteroendocrine, and Paneth cells) arise from a common progenitor that expresses Math1, whereas absorptive cells (enterocytes) arise from a progenitor that is Math1-independent.