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At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Up-regulation of gene expression by hypoxia is mediated predominantly by hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1).

The hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) plays a critical role in cellular responses to hypoxia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate which genes are induced by hypoxia, and whether this induction is mediated by HIF-1, by expression microarray analysis of wt and HIF-1alpha null mouse fibroblasts. Forty-five genes were up-regulated by hypoxia and 40 (89%) of these were regulated by HIF-1. Of the 114 genes down-regulated by hypoxia, 19 (17%) were HIF-1-dependent. All glycolytic enzymes were strongly up-regulated by hypoxia in a HIF-1-dependent manner. Genes already known to be related to hypoxia, such as glucose transporter 1, BNIP3, and hypoxia-induced gene 1, were induced. In addition, multiple new HIF-1-regulated genes were identified, including genes involved in metabolism (adenylate kinase 4, galactokinase), apoptosis (galectin-3 and gelsolin), and invasion (RhoA). Genes down-regulated by hypoxia were involved in cytoskeleton maintenance (Rho kinase), mRNA processing (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H1 and splicing factor), and DNA repair (REV3). Furthermore, seven cDNAs from genes with unknown function or expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were up-regulated and 27 such cDNAs were down-regulated. In conclusion, hypoxia causes down- rather than up-regulation of gene expression and HIF-1 seems to play a major role in the regulation of hypoxia-induced genes.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Cardiac expressions of HIF-1 alpha and HLF/EPAS, two basic loop helix/PAS domain transcription factors involved in adaptative responses to hypoxic stresses.

Expression of many mammalian genes is regulated by oxygen tension. HIF-1 alpha and HLF/EPAS are two basic helix-loop-helix/PAS domain transcription factors that bind to hypoxia sensitive elements in the promoters /enhancers of hypoxia sensitive genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This paper describes the structure of rat HIF-1 alpha and analyses expressions HIF-1 alpha and of HLF/EPAS mRNAs in lung and cardiac tissues from the rat. HLF/EPAS mRNAs appear at birth in the two tissues and are maintained at high levels throughout adult life. HIF-1 alpha mRNAs are expressed at a constant level during lung development. Their abundance increase transiently at birth in cardiac tissues. Cultured cardiomyocytes from new born rats only express HIF-1 alpha mRNAs. HIF-1 alpha mRNA expression is increased by phorbol myristate acetate but not by anoxia or cobalt. The results indicate (i) that HIF-1 alpha and HLF/EPAS are expressed in a cell specific manner and (ii) that the hypoxic induction of VEGF mRNA expression by isolated cardiomyocytes is independent of HLF/EPAS. Finally, they suggest that protein kinase C may prime hypoxia induced gene regulation by inducing expression of HIF-1 alpha mRNAs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

[Influence of ischemia/hypoxia on the HIF-1 activity and expression of hypoxia-dependent genes in the cochlea of the newborn rat].

BACKGROUND: Transcription factor HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1) regulates the expression of genes which are involved in glucose supply, growth, metabolism, redox reactions and blood supply. Hypoxia and ischemia play an important role in the pathogenesis of tinnitus and hearing loss. Therefore, HIF-1 activity and the expression of HIF-1 dependent genes in the cochlea were examined under ischemic and hypoxic conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For the HIF-1 analysis, single-cell cultures of the organ of Corti (OC), stria vascularis (SV) and modiolus (MOD) were used. mRNA expression was analyzed in the organotypic culture using a microarray technique (RN U34-chip, Affymetrix). RESULTS: Ischemia (hypoxia without glucose) and pure hypoxia increase the HIF-1 activity identically, with the highest increase found in MOD and OC. The HIF-1 alpha mRNA levels were found to be higher in SV than in the OC and MOD. During culturing, there is a clear increase in HIF-1 alpha mRNA and the expression of a number of HIF-1 dependent genes, such as Gapdh/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, Slc2a1/solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter), member 1, Tf/transferrin and Tfrc/transferrin receptor, in all three regions. In SV, MOD and OC, increase in the expression of Hmox1/hemoxygenase 1, Nos2/nitric oxide synthase, inducible and Tfrc is particularly high. Hypoxia (5 h) results in an increased expression of Igf2/Insulin-like growth factor 2. CONCLUSION: The present data underline the contribution of radical forming processes to the pathogenesis of inner ear diseases. For experimental research, it is important to note that organotypic culture may be coupled with hypoxia.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha as a biomarker of outcome in soft-tissue sarcomas.

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha is a transcription factor that supports the adaptation of human cancer cells to hypoxia and tumor growth and progression. The overexpression of HIF-1alpha protein has been reported to be associated with a worse prognosis in various cancers. However, the expression of HIF-1alpha in soft-tissue sarcomas has not yet been characterized. The expression of HIF-1alpha protein was immunohistochemically determined in 49 specimens of soft-tissue sarcomas including malignant fibrous histiocytoma (29 patients), synovial sarcoma (12 patients), leiomyosarcoma (four patients), and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (four patients). The 49 samples consisted of 40 primary lesions and nine local recurrences. An immunohistochemical analysis showed the nuclear accumulation of HIF-1alpha protein in 35 (71.4%) samples. The expression of HIF-1alpha was negative in 14 (28.6%) cases, weak in nine (18.4%), moderate in 17 (35.4%), and strong in nine (18.4%). The patients with a strong or moderate expression of HIF-1alpha had a significantly shorter overall survival rate in comparison with those with a weak or negative expression in a univariate analysis (P = 0.029; log-rank test) and multivariate analysis (P = 0.018). This is the first report that demonstrated an overexpression of HIF-1alpha protein to be an independent prognostic factor for soft-tissue sarcomas.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Transitional change in interaction between HIF-1 and HNF-4 in response to hypoxia.

The roles of the erythropoietin (Epo) 3' enhancer in the activation of gene expression in response to hypoxia were investigated. The enhancer contains hypoxia-inducible enhancer binding site 1 (HIF-1 element) and two direct repeats of hexanucleotide consensus nuclear receptor half site (HNF-4 element). HIF-1, which is a heterodimeric complex of HIF-1 alpha and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translecator (ARNT), binds to HIF-1 element. HNF-4 binds to HNF-4 element as a homodimeric complex. Studies on mutant reporter plasmids demonstrated that both HIF-1 alpha and HNF-4 elements were necessary for augmentation of the enhancer activity, since mutation of either the HIF-1 or the HNF-4 element caused loss of inducibility under hypoxic conditions. Mammalian two-hybrid experiments in vivo revealed that transitional change took place from the interaction of HNF-4 with ARNT to that with HIF-1 alpha in response to hypoxia. Such interactive domains were identified in amino acids 369-465 containing the C-terminal of HNF-4 and amino acids 1-458 containing basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) and Per-ARNT-AHR-Sim (PAS) domains of ARNT in normoxia. Also, an extended sequence containing ligand and dimerization domains, and the C-terminal of HNF-4 (amino acids 135-465), and the PAS domain (amino acids 106-526) of HIF-1 alpha were used for the interaction between the two transcription factors in hypoxia. From these data, the functional significance of the transitional change in the augmentation of gene expression by the Epo enhancer in hypoxia is discussed.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Effect of HIF-1alpha on VEGF-C induced lymphangiogenesis and lymph nodes metastases of pancreatic cancer.

The effect of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) on vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and the correlation between HIF-1alpha and lymphangiogenesis and lymph nodes metastases (LNM) in pancreatic cancer were investigated. Immunohistochemical SP method was used to detect the protein expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF-C, and Lymphatic vessel density (LVD) was determined by stain of VEGFR-3, collagen type IV in 75 pancreatic head cancers from regional pancreatectomy (RP) during Dec. 2001 to Dec. 2003. The relationship between HIF-1alpha and VEGF-C, lymphangiogenesis, LNM was analyzed statistically. The results showed that the positive expressionrate of HIF-1alpha and VEGF-C in pancreatic cancer tissues was 48.00 % (36/75) and 65.33 % (49/75) respectively. In positive group of HIF-1alpha, the positive rate of VEGF-C and LVD, and LVD rate was 80.56 % (29/36), 13.22+/-3.76 and 88.89 % (32/36) respectively, and in negative group of HIF-1alpha, positive rate of VEGF-C and LVD was 51.28 % (20/39), 5.98+/-2.17 and 66.67 % (26/39) respectively (P<0.01 or P<0.05). It was suggested that HIF-1alpha could promote the expression of VEGF-C, lymphangiogenesis and LNM in pancreatic cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits HIF-1alpha degradation in prostate cancer cells.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1, an alphabeta heterodimeric transcription factor, consists of a constitutively expressed HIF-1beta subunit and a hypoxia-inducible HIF-1alpha subunit, and contributes to hypoxia-mediated tumor angiogenesis. Numerous epidemiologic and laboratory studies indicate that green tea has cancer preventive activity which has been attributed to its polyphenol components, the major one being epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This study investigated the effect of EGCG on normoxic HIF-1alpha expression in human prostate cancer cells. Surprisingly, we observed an EGCG-induced-dose-dependent increase in HIF-1-mediated transcription and HIF-1alpha protein levels under normoxia. However, concomitant treatment of the prostate cancer cells with EGCG and ferrous ions abolished the increase in HIF-1-mediated transcription that was seen with EGCG treatment alone, suggesting that EGCG may act as a ferrous ion chelator. Furthermore, we determined, for the first time, that EGCG inhibits prolyl hydroxylation of HIF-1alpha, thus preventing HIF-1alpha and pVHL interaction.

Catechin↗
PubMed2005

Norepinephrine but not hypoxia stimulates HIF-1alpha gene expression in brown adipocytes.

The cellular response to hypoxic stress is mainly mediated via activation of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha). In the present study, the sympathetically controlled brown adipose tissue was used to investigate the effect of norepinephrine on HIF-1alpha gene expression. Norepinephrine increased HIF-1alpha mRNA levels in cultured brown adipocytes, whereas the hypoxia-mimic cobalt was without effect. Cold exposure of mice increased HIF-1alpha gene expression in brown adipose tissue. In UCP1-ablated mice, which are incapable of inducing thermogenic oxygen consumption in brown adipose tissue, cold exposure generated a significantly higher elevation of HIF-1alpha mRNA levels than in wild-type. These results demonstrate that cold-induced HIF-1alpha gene expression is independent of thermogenic oxygen consumption leading to hypoxia, but is consistent with a norepinephrine regulation of HIF-1alpha gene expression. Thus, by elevating HIF-1alpha gene expression, norepinephrine may mediate an increased potential to respond to hypoxia in brown adipose tissue and possibly in other tissues.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed2005

Differential responses of two degradation domains of HIF-1alpha to hypoxia and iron deficiency.

HIF-1alpha is a transcription factor involved in the cellular adaptation to either hypoxia or iron deficiency. In the presence of oxygen and iron, proline residues in two degradation domains are modified by HIF-1-prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs), resulting in ubiquitination and degradation of HIF-1alpha. Since both molecular oxygen and iron are elements required for this hydroxylation process, HIF-1alpha might be unmodified and stable in conditions lacking oxygen or iron. If so, two degradation domains may respond to hypoxia and iron-depletion in the same way. In this study, however, we found two degradation domains to differentially regulate the stability of HIF-1alpha. The C-terminal domain responded to both hypoxia and iron-depletion, but the N-terminal domain to only iron-depletion. The deletion or point-mutation of the C-terminal domain blunted the hypoxic induction of HIF-1alpha. However, PHD-silencing siRNAs revealed that two degradation domains were not regulated by different types of PHDs. Both domains were regulated mainly by PHD2. The further mutational analysis demonstrated that the ARD1-acetylated motif near the C-terminal degradation domain (CDD) modulates the oxygen-dependent regulation of HIF-1alpha. The oxygen-dependent HIF-1alpha regulation requiring both proline hydroxylation and lysine acetylation may be more complicated than the iron-dependent regulation requiring only proline hydroxylation.

Cell Line↗
PubMed2006

A novel in vivo model to study endochondral bone formation; HIF-1alpha activation and BMP expression.

Numerous growth and transcription factors have been implicated in endochondral bone formation of the growth plate. Many of these factors are up-regulated during hypoxia and downstream of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF)-1alpha activation. However, the specific function of these factors, in the context of oxygenation and metabolic adaptation during adult periosteal endochondral bone formation, is largely unknown. Here, we studied HIF-1alpha and the possible roles of (HIF-1alpha related) growth and transcription factors in a recently developed in vivo model for adult periosteal endochondral bone formation. At different phases of periosteal endochondral bone formation, mRNA levels of Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-beta1, Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMP)-2, -4, and -7, Indian Hedgehog (Ihh), Parathyroid Hormone-related Protein (PTHrP), Sox9, Runx2, HIF-1alpha, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), periostin (POSTN), and Glyceraldehyde-3-Phophate Dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were evaluated with RT-real time-PCR. Also protein levels of TGF-beta1, BMP-2, -4, and -7, HIF-1alpha, and POSTN were examined. During the chondrogenic phase, the expression of Sox9, Ihh, and HIF-1alpha was significantly up-regulated. TGF-beta1 mRNA levels were rather constant, and the mRNA levels of BMPs were significantly lower. Immunohistochemical detection of corresponding gene products, however, revealed the presence of the proteins of TGF-beta1, BMP-2, -4, and -7, HIF-1alpha, and POSTN within the chondrocytes during chondrogenesis. This discrepancy in gene expression between mRNA and protein level for TGF-beta1 and the different BMPs is indicative of post-transcriptional regulation of protein synthesis. HIF-1alpha activation and up-regulation of GAPDH support a hypoxia-induced metabolic shift during periosteal chondrogenesis. Our model recapitulates essential steps in osteochondrogenesis and provides a new experimental system to study and ultimately control tissue regeneration in the adult organism.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha is associated with vascular endothelial growth factor expression and tumour angiogenesis in human oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha expression, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, and tumour vascularity in squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. Expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF was examined in two oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (TE2, TE3) and 82 archival surgical specimens of human oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue. In both cell lines, the levels of HIF-1alpha protein and VEGF mRNA were increased under hypoxic conditions. Thirty-two of the 82 (39%) tumour specimens showed high levels of HIF-1alpha immunoreactivity in the nuclei and/or cytoplasm of cancer cells. HIF-1alpha expression correlated significantly with venous invasion, VEGF expression, and microvessel density. Among the 47 patients who did not receive pre-operative chemotherapy, the outcome of those with high HIF-1alpha-expressing tumours was significantly poorer than that of those with low HIF-1alpha-expressing tumours. These results suggest that HIF-1alpha and VEGF expression are important determinants of survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2005

Inhibition of GSK3beta by indirubins restores HIF-1alpha accumulation under prolonged periods of hypoxia/anoxia.

Hypoxia inducible factor 1 is regulated by the appearance of the HIF-1alpha subunit. HIF-1alpha is subjected to proteasomal destruction or enhanced protein translation, which requires the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. We investigated how PI3K/Akt and glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta) affect HIF-1alpha in human RKO cells under prolonged periods of severe hypoxia/anoxia. 16- to 32-h lasting incubations attenuated Akt activity and decreased HIF-1alpha protein. This was reproduced by blocking PI3K with LY294002. GSK3beta inhibition by indirubins circumvented the effect of hypoxia/anoxia or LY294002 on HIF-1alpha. Ruling stability regulation of HIF-1alpha protein and/or enhanced transcription of HIF-1alpha mRNA via GSK3beta inhibition out is suggestive for translational modulation of HIF-1alpha under the influence of GSK3beta.

Cell Hypoxia↗
PubMed2005

Expression of HIF-1alpha, CA IX, VEGF, and MMP-9 in surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer.

Endogenous hypoxia markers have been studied as prognostic indicators because they appear to be associated with tumor aggressiveness. This study was undertaken to compare the expression of two endogenous hypoxia markers, Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), with regard to their prognostic significance. We also compared spatial distribution of HIF-1alpha and CA IX and examined their relationship with expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, which may be regulated by hypoxia. We studied 74 resected stage I/II non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) for expression of HIF-1alpha, CA IX, VEGF, and MMP-9 by immunohistochemistry, and the extent of tumor necrosis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess prognostic implications of these markers for disease free survival. HIF-1alpha expression was strongly correlated with CA IX (r=0.667, p<0.001) and was co-localized with CA IX in corresponding areas. HIF-1alpha and CA IX expression were higher in areas with moderate to severe tumor necrosis relative to areas with minimal necrosis, suggesting their relationship with hypoxia. VEGF expression also showed a modest relationship with HIF-1alpha (p=0.07); however, there was no relationship between HIF-1alpha and MMP-9 expression (p>0.99). Expression of HIF-1alpha and CA IX above the median value was significantly associated with shorter disease free survival in univariate analysis (p<0.05). However, only high CA IX expression and pathologic stage were independent prognostic indicators in a multivariate analysis. Of the markers considered in this study, CA IX expression status was the most reliable hypoxia marker for predicting tumor aggressiveness.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Evidence of HIF-1 functional binding activity to caspase-3 promoter after photothrombotic cerebral ischemia.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) is a transcription factor that was suggested in vitro to promote cell death by modulation of proapoptotic genes. In this report, we tested the hypothesis of an in vivo proapoptotic role of HIF-1alpha after an ischemic insult. For this purpose, HIF-1alpha and procaspase-3 mRNA and protein expressions were examined in rat brain subjected to 12- and 24-h permanent focal ischemia and the presence of an HIF-1 binding activity to the caspase-3 gene promoter was explored. The results showed that HIF-1alpha and procaspase-3 expressions increased with a similar pattern in response to ischemia. In addition, caspase-3 activation was observed in cells that express HIF-1alpha. Moreover, electrophoretic mobility assay revealed a specific HIF-1 binding activity to the caspase-3 gene promoter. Altogether the present data provide strong arguments for a causative relationship between HIF-1alpha and caspase-3 inductions through a functional binding activity to the caspase-3 gene promoter.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Hypoxia induces HIF-1alpha and VEGF expression in chondrosarcoma cells and chondrocytes.

Like other tumors, chondrosarcoma must induce neovascularity as they grow. Recent studies have demonstrated that chondrosarcoma are vascular. Since normal cartilage is a hypoxic, yet avascular tissue and since chondrosarcoma bears some phenotypic relation to cartilage, it is not clear if hypoxic pathways remain intact in these tissues. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) is the inducible subunit of the HIF-1 transcription factor that regulates genes involved in the response to hypoxia, some of which promote neovascularity. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the genes upregulated by HIF-1 and is the primary cytokine related to angiogenesis. In this study we examined the response of chondrocytes and chondrosarcoma cell lines to hypoxia. We found that both normal and malignant chondrocytes increased HIF-1alpha protein expression in an oxygen concentration dependent manner and also increased VEGF mRNA expression in response to hypoxia. HIF-1alpha protein and VEGF mRNA decreased when chondrosarcoma cells were transfected with siRNA targeting HIF-1alpha prior to hypoxia exposure, suggesting that HIF-1alpha expression resulted in increased VEGF expression. The role of the HIF-1alpha/VEGF pathway in angiogenesis in chondrosarcoma in vivo and its usefulness as a target for antiangiogenic treatment strategies for this tumor requires further investigation.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

Hypoxic inhibition of 3-methylcholanthrene-induced CYP1A1 expression is independent of HIF-1alpha.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) both require dimerization with AhR nuclear translocator (ARNT) to initiate transcription of their respective target genes. It has been proposed that competition for ARNT results in decreased targeting of AhR to cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) under hypoxia. We established primary cultures of HIF-1alpha null hepatocytes to examine the interaction between HIF-1alpha and AhR signaling. Gene expression of known HIF targets phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) increased under hypoxia, but was reduced in the HIF null cultures. Concomitant treatment of cultures with hypoxia (1% O2) and 3-methylcholanthrene (an AhR ligand) did not significantly alter HIF target gene expression. Furthermore, enzymatic activity and transcription of CYP1A1 was inhibited by hypoxia in HIF-1alpha null cultures, indicating that HIF-1alpha is not directly involved in negative regulation of AhR signaling.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2005

HIF-2alpha expression in human fetal paraganglia and neuroblastoma: relation to sympathetic differentiation, glucose deficiency, and hypoxia.

Solid tumors are frequently necrotic and hypoxic due to poor vascularization. Tumor cells adapt to hypoxia by modulating their phenotype. Key players in this process are the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF-1alpha to 3alpha). HIFs are also expressed during normal development; for example, HIF-2alpha is specifically expressed and appears to be involved in the development of the murine sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Here, we demonstrate that HIF-2alpha protein is selectively present in human fetal week 8.5 SNS paraganglia. Neuroblastoma is derived from SNS precursors. In a subset of neuroblastomas, a spontaneous neuronal to neuroendocrine differentiation occurs in areas adjacent to necrotic zones. As HIF-2alpha activity has been associated not only with hypoxic but also with hypoglycemic conditions, we have investigated putative effects of hypoxia, glucose depletion, and HIF-2alpha on the neuroblastoma phenotype. HIF-2alpha was detected in hypoxic and in well-oxygenized neuroblastoma cells and tissue, presumably reflecting their embryonic features. With regard to differentiation, hypoxic cells lost their neuronal/neuroendocrine features and gained marker gene expression associated with an immature, neural crest-like phenotype. Low glucose potentiated the effect of hypoxia. These findings suggest that poorly vascularized neuroblastomas become immature and maintain a more aggressive phenotype, which possibly could involve a sustained stabilization and activation of HIF-2alpha.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2002

The dietary flavonoid quercetin modulates HIF-1 alpha activity in endothelial cells.

The mechanism of activation of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) has been studied extensively. Under normal cellular oxygen conditions protein levels of the alpha subunit (HIF-1 alpha) are kept low due to massive ubiquitination and subsequent proteosomal degradation. However, during hypoxia ubiquitination is inhibited, causing stabilisation of the HIF-1 alpha protein. HIF-1 alpha can then translocate to the nucleus and facilitate transcription of numerous target genes, the majority of which are involved in glycolysis and angiogenesis via heterodimerisation with the beta subunit (HIF-1 beta/ARNT). Until now hypoxia has been the only naturally occurring signal shown to activate this transcription factor. We report here that the dietary flavonoid quercetin also activates HIF-1 alpha in all steps of its activation pathway, in a manner similar to hypoxia. We found that quercetin, an inhibitor of Ser/Thr kinases, stabilises HIF-1 alpha and causes nuclear localisation of the protein in a transcriptionally active state. Taken together these results strongly indicate that the dietary flavonoid quercetin regulates HIF-1 function at normal oxygen concentrations.

Animals↗