HIF-1: Régulateur central del'hypoxie

Abstract

Animal species hove evolved on ingenious and conserved mechanism for rapid and durable adaptation to o severe reduction in oxygen concentrations. The hypoxic stress is controlled by the stabilisation and activation of the HIF-1α subunit of the HIF-1 transcription factor. This transcriptional factor co-ordinates the induction of several genes and physiological units (as for example: stimulation of angiogenesis, erythropoiesis, and anaerobic glycolysis) which contribute to counteract low oxygen levels. The crucial role that HIF-1 plays in the control of expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumour angiogenesis has aroused the interest for HIF-1 and "oxygen-sensing" mechanisms. This review analyses the most recent features of the hypoxic signaling pathway with o special focus on the mechanism of HIF-1 regulation.