HECA was characterised first in Drosophila where it regulates the proliferation and differentiation of cells during adult morphogenesis. In humans, HECA affects cell cycle progression and proliferation in head and neck cancer cells. It by slows down cell division of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells and may thereby act as a tumour-suppressor in head and neck cancers.

1: headcase, an imaginal specific gene required for adult morphogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster. Weaver TA, White RA; Development. 1995;121:4149-4160. PMID:8575315

2: The human homolog of the Drosophila headcase protein slows down cell division of head and neck cancer cells. Dowejko A, Bauer RJ, Muller-Richter UD, Reichert TE; Carcinogenesis. 2009;30:1678-1685. PMID:19643820