[Chemical control of gene expression]

Expression of specific genes can be controlled by some compounds (gene expression modifiers) which can be divided into two categories, i.e.; (a) compounds which directly bind to nucleic acids having specific sequences and (b) compounds which bind specific transcription factors (including nuclear receptors) or related factors. Recent results on the structural development and mechanistic studies into the gene expression modifiers, mainly retinoids, phorbol ester, hemin, antisense molecules, and thalidomide analogs, have been reviewed. Some of these gene expression modifiers elicit cell differentiation inducing, tumor promoting, and biological response modifying activities. Development of more potent and/or more specific gene expression modifiers might be useful in cancer chemotherapy.