Hypoxia inducible factor-2alpha: a critical mediator of aggressive tumor phenotypes.
Intra-tumoral hypoxia (low oxygen [O(2)] level) is an independent indicator of unfavorable patient diagnosis, and increasing evidence demonstrates that hypoxia contributes to a more aggressive tumor phenotype. Adaptation to hypoxia is predominantly regulated by two structurally related hypoxia inducible factors, HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha, which activate the expression of genes involved in proliferation, metabolism, angiogenesis, and metastasis. While highly homologous, HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha have been shown to have different roles in tumorigenesis dependent on specific tumor microenvironments. Here we summarize recent studies on HIF-2alpha and discuss the potential mechanisms whereby it contributes to tumor aggressiveness.
Qing
Guoliang
G
Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Simon
M Celeste
MC
D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D000099162:Endothelial PAS Domain-Containing Protein 1
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D000099162:Endothelial PAS Domain-Containing Protein 1