Smad1/5 is acetylated in the dorsal aortae of the mouse embryo before the onset of blood flow, driving early arterial gene expression.

Our findings highlight the importance of the acetyl-CoA production in the cell and provide a novel control mechanism of Smad1/5 signalling involving protein acetylation. As disturbed canonical Smad1/5 signalling is involved in several vascular conditions, our results offer new insights in treatment options for circumventing canonical Smad1/5 signalling.