HAND2/dHAND is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor expressed in the heart and neural crest derivatives during embryogenesis. Although dHAND is essential for branchial arch, cardiovascular and limb development, its target genes have not been identified. The regulatory mech-anisms of dHAND function also remain relatively unknown. Here we report that Akt/PKB, a serine/threonine protein kinase involved in cell survival, growth and differ-entiation, phosphorylates dHAND and inhibits dHAND-mediated transcription
