Regulation of gene expression by active oxygen species

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated from cells stimulated by various cytokines, hormones, and stresses, and regulate celluar functions such as gene expression and cell growth. They affect activities of many types of molecular targets, including signaling molecules and transcription factors. Early-respons genes (c-fos, egr-1 and JE) that encode transcription factors are induced by ROS, and activities of their products are modulated by ROS through redox-based mechanisms. We isolated a novel gene, hic-5, that was induced by hydrogen peroxide and encodes a focal adhesion protein. hic-5 was found to translocate to the nucleus in cells treated with ROS and regulates several cellular genes. We propose that hic-5 is a key element in the transduction of signals from the cell surface to the nucleus under oxidative stress. © 2002 The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.