Regulation of gene promoters of hypothalamic peptides

In order to fulfill their roles in neuroendocrine regulation, specific hypothalamic neurons are devoted to produce and deliver biologically active peptides to the pituitary gland. The biosynthesis and release of peptides are strictly controlled by afferents to these hypothalamic neurons. Cell-specific expression and biosynthetic regulation largely relies on transcription from the gene promoter for which the 5(')-flanking regions of the peptidergic genes contain essential elements. Cell-specific transcription factors employ these regulatory elements to exert their control over the expression of the peptidergic gene. This article explores the properties of regulatory elements of the major hypothalamic peptides, somatostatin, growth hormone-releasing hormone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, corticotropin-releasing hormone, vasopressin and oxytocin, and the transcription factors acting on them. These transcription factors are often endpoints of signal transduction pathways that can be activated by neurotransmitters or steroid hormones. Others are essential to provide cell-specific expression of the peptidergic gene during development and mature regulation.