Histone deacetylases and repression of the gonadotropin genes.
The roles of chromatin modifications in transcription have been studied extensively; however, there remains a dearth of information explaining how extracellular signals induce changes in chromatin at a specific gene locus. The gonadotropins provide an example of genes that undergo significant fluctuations in their expression, and are regulated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) through a membrane-bound receptor. GnRH displaces histone deacetylases (HDACs) from gonadotropin genes in immature mouse gonadotropes, and some of the pathways have been elucidated. This GnRH effect likely comprises a mechanism involved in altering reproductive potential and provides a model for studying the regulation of derepression. This paper reviews the role of HDACs in repression of the gonadotropin genes and the mechanisms through which GnRH overcomes their actions.
D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D002843:Chromatin; D006062:Gonadotropins; D006655:Histone Deacetylases