CONVERSION OF CARDIOMYOCYTES INTO FAST CONDUCTING CARDIOMYOCYTES OR SLOW CONDUCTING NODAL CELLS

Tbx5 and Tbx3 were shown to be key determinants of regional identity in the AVCS. Various embodiments relate to increasing the amount of Tbx5 or Tbx3 in a cardiomyoctye whereby the cardiomycyte is converted to a fast conducting cardiomyocyte or a slow conducting nodal cell, respectively. Further embodiments employ the fast conducting cardiomyocytes and nodal cells in therapeutic methods and in methods for screening compounds for effect on these cell types.