Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Development of a Cabbage Protoplast System for Studying Hypoxia Tolerance in Brassica
08:09

Development of a Cabbage Protoplast System for Studying Hypoxia Tolerance in Brassica

Published on: September 20, 2024

Transcriptional regulation of cyclo-oxygenase expression: three pillars of control

R G Ramsay1, D Ciznadija, M Vanevski

  • 1Differentiation and Transcription Group, Trescowthick Laboratories, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Locked Bag #1 A' Beckett Street, Victoria, 8006, Australia. Rob.Ramsay@Petermac.org

International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology
|October 14, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) target cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes. New strategies focus on regulating COX gene transcription, including c-MYB, for better specificity in treating diseases like colorectal cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat arthritis by blocking cyclo-oxygenase (COX) isoform activity.
  • NSAIDs show promise in managing pre- and post-neoplastic diseases, including colorectal cancer (CRC).
  • Current strategies face challenges with isoform specificity and drug delivery, necessitating alternative approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore strategies for specifically blocking COX gene expression by targeting transcriptional regulation.
  • To understand the regulation of COX isoform transcription for improved, specific inhibition.
  • To highlight c-MYB as a key regulator of COX-2 in colorectal cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on COX isoform regulation at the transcriptional level.
  • Analysis of transcriptional regulation tiers: initiation, alternative splicing, and mRNA stability.
  • Identification of key transcription factors involved in COX-2 expression, including c-MYB.

Main Results:

  • COX-2 expression is regulated by multiple tiers, including transcription factor activation, alternative splicing, and mRNA stability.
  • Transcription factors such as C/EBP-beta, phospho-CREB, NF-IL6, AP1, NFkB, TCF-4/LEF-1, and c-MYB are implicated in COX-2 regulation.
  • COX-1 splice variants (COX-3, PCOX-1a) and mRNA stability modulation represent under-explored regulatory mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting COX gene transcription offers a promising complementary strategy to enzyme inhibition for specific COX isoform blockade.
  • Understanding transcriptional regulation, including the role of c-MYB in CRC, can enhance therapeutic specificity.
  • Further research into alternative splicing and mRNA stability of COX isoforms may reveal new therapeutic targets.

More Related Videos

Measuring mRNA Levels Over Time During the Yeast S. cerevisiae Hypoxic Response09:45

Measuring mRNA Levels Over Time During the Yeast S. cerevisiae Hypoxic Response

Published on: August 10, 2017

High-throughput Screening for Chemical Modulators of Post-transcriptionally Regulated Genes09:44

High-throughput Screening for Chemical Modulators of Post-transcriptionally Regulated Genes

Published on: March 3, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps02:24

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps

Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps02:24

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps

Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
Combinatorial Gene Control02:33

Combinatorial Gene Control

Combinatorial gene control is the synergistic action of several transcriptional factors to regulate the expression of a single gene. The absence of one or more of these factors may lead to a significant difference in the level of gene expression or repression.
The expression of more than 30,000 genes is controlled by approximately 2000-3000 transcription factors. This is possible because a single transcription factor can recognize more than one regulatory sequence. The specificity in gene...
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps01:23

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the addition of a...