Abnormal expression of some CASZ1 targeted genes, such as muscle contraction genes (TNNI2, TNNT1, and CKM), contractile fiber gene (ACTA1), and cardiac arrhythmia associated ion channel coding genes (ABCC9 and CACNA1D), were identified in CASZ1 depleted embryonic hearts in mice, which might contribute to the heart defect (Liu et al., 2014). Here, CKM is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.