Heregulin, also known as neuregulin-1, is a peptide signaling hormone involved in nervous system communication, cardiac adaptation, cellular differentiation, myelin regulation, and tissue growth signaling. The hormone functions through ERBB receptor family pathways that regulate communication between neuronal tissues, cardiac muscle, epithelial environments, and connective tissue structures.
Heregulin contributes to Schwann cell signaling, synaptic organization, cardiac muscle adaptation, epithelial communication, and developmental tissue differentiation. The hormone also participates in regulation of cellular survival pathways, tissue repair mechanisms, and communication between nervous system and cardiovascular structures. Through these actions, it supports coordinated neural and cardiac physiological adaptation.
Heregulin is produced by neurons, Schwann cells, endothelial cells, cardiac tissue, epithelial tissues, and additional endocrine-responsive organs. The hormone is synthesized as a transmembrane precursor protein that undergoes proteolytic cleavage to release the active extracellular signaling domain.
Production commonly increases during developmental growth, neural remodeling, tissue repair, and cardiovascular adaptation. Local synthesis allows targeted communication between neighboring cells involved in nervous system and tissue signaling pathways.
Heregulin production is regulated by developmental signaling systems, neuronal activity, inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress pathways, growth factor signaling, and tissue remodeling activity. Mechanical stress and injury-related pathways can influence expression within cardiac and neural tissues.
The hormone acts through ERBB receptor tyrosine kinase systems that activate MAP kinase signaling, phosphoinositide pathways, transcriptional regulation networks, and cellular survival signaling mechanisms. Receptor activation influences neural differentiation, cardiac communication, myelin maintenance, and epithelial growth pathways. Through these integrated growth-signaling systems, heregulin coordinates nervous system communication, cardiac adaptation, tissue differentiation, and regenerative cellular signaling.
Neuregulin-1 is an ERBB-family ligand that activates HER3 and HER4 signaling. In cancer biology excessive NRG1 signaling can promote survival signaling, migration, proliferation, angiogenesis, and therapy resistance through PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK activation.
