Hypoxia and the regulation of gene expression

The optimal delivery of oxygen to tissues is essential both to ensure adequate energy provision and to avoid the toxic effects of higher oxygen concentrations. For this to occur, organisms must be able to sense oxygen and respond to changes in oxygen tension by altering gene expression. The analysis of the regulation of erythropoiesis has provided important insights into the mechanisms of oxygen-regulated gene expression. These mechanisms have a role in the regulation of many genes, in many cell types and appear to be of relevance to many common pathologies in which disturbances of oxygen supply are central.