Activation of the HIF pathway in cancer

Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2001 Jun;11(3):293-9. doi: 10.1016/s0959-437x(00)00193-3.

Abstract

The maintenance of oxygen homeostasis is required both in physiological development and tumour growth. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) plays a central role in both processes. Reliable methods for visualising HIF alpha subunits have established that HIF activation occurs in the majority of common cancers. This occurs both by genetic mechanisms and through microenvironmental hypoxia. Activation of the HIF pathway has important effects on patterns of gene expression in tumours.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors*

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • HIF1A protein, human
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1