Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
09:17
Co-immunoprecipitation Assay Using Endogenous Nuclear Proteins from Cells Cultured Under Hypoxic Conditions
Published on: August 2, 2018
Extracellular matrix genes as hypoxia-inducible targets
Johanna Myllyharju1, Ernestina Schipani
1Oulu Center for Cell Matrix Research, Biocenter Oulu and Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oulu, Finland. johanna.myllyharju@oulu.fi
Cell and Tissue Research
|August 8, 2009
Summary
Hypoxia, or low oxygen, impacts cell survival and adaptation through hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). These factors regulate genes crucial for development, differentiation, and various cellular processes, including extracellular matrix homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Hypoxia (low oxygen tension) is a key factor in numerous human diseases and normal physiological processes like development and differentiation.
- Cellular adaptation to hypoxia relies on hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs).
- HIFs regulate genes involved in critical cellular functions including hematopoiesis, angiogenesis, metabolism, and apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing the oxygen-dependent stability and activity of HIFs.
- To identify and discuss extracellular matrix genes as targets of HIFs.
- To examine the role of the hypoxia response pathway in chondrogenesis and joint development.
Main Methods:
- Review of recently identified molecular mechanisms of HIF regulation.
- Focus on the identification of extracellular matrix genes regulated by HIFs.
- Discussion of the hypoxia response pathway's involvement in chondrogenesis.
Main Results:
- Detailed introduction to the oxygen-dependent regulation of HIF stability and activity.
- Identification of extracellular matrix genes as significant HIF targets.
- Elucidation of the hypoxia pathway's critical role in chondrogenesis and joint formation.
Conclusions:
- HIFs are central regulators of cellular response to hypoxia, influencing a wide array of genes.
- Extracellular matrix genes are key targets of HIFs, highlighting their role in tissue homeostasis.
- The hypoxia response pathway is vital for normal chondrogenesis and joint development.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits. Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
01:23Hypoxia
Hypoxia is a medical condition characterized by an inadequate oxygen supply to body tissues. It typically manifests as a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucosae, especially in fair-skinned individuals, when hemoglobin (Hb) saturation drops below 75%.
Types of Hypoxia
There are four primary types of hypoxia, each resulting from a different cause:
1. Anemic hypoxia: This type occurs due to insufficient oxygen delivery caused by a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) or RBCs with abnormal or...
Types of Hypoxia
There are four primary types of hypoxia, each resulting from a different cause:
1. Anemic hypoxia: This type occurs due to insufficient oxygen delivery caused by a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) or RBCs with abnormal or...
01:26Extracellular Matrix
Unlike epithelial tissue, which is composed of cells closely packed with little or no extracellular space in between, connective tissue cells are dispersed in a matrix. This extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of fibrous proteins like collagen, elastin, and fibronectin in a ground substance consisting of interstitial fluid, cell adhesion proteins, and proteoglycans. The proteoglycans form a gel-like material in the spaces between cells and provide hydration, buffering, binding, and force...
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...