Cellular and molecular mechanisms in the hypoxic tissue: role of HIF-1 and ROS

• Published in: Cell biochemistry and function Vol. 31; no. 6; pp. 451 - 459
• Main Authors: Zepeda, Andrea B., Pessoa jr, Adalberto, Castillo, Rodrigo L., Figueroa, Carolina A., Pulgar, Victor M., Farías, Jorge G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2013; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adenosine triphosphate; Adenosine Triphosphate - metabolism; ATP; Energy Metabolism - genetics; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Hydrogen peroxide; Hydrogen Peroxide - metabolism; Hypoxia; hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1); Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit - genetics; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit - metabolism; hypoxic tissue; Metabolism; Microenvironments; Mitochondria; Mitochondria - metabolism; Molecular modelling; nuclear factor κB (NF-κB); Nuclear transport; Oxidants; oxidative stress; Oxidizing agents; Oxygen; Oxygen - metabolism; Reactive oxygen species; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Signal Transduction; Superoxide anions; Transcription activation; Transcription factors; Translocation; hypoxic tissue; hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1); nuclear factor κB (NF-κB); oxidative stress; reactive oxygen species
• ISSN: 0263-6484; 1099-0844
• DOI: 10.1002/cbf.2985

Reactive oxygen species such as superoxide anion radicals (O2−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) have for long time been recognized as undesirable by‐products of the oxidative mitochondrial generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Recently, these highly reactive species have been associated to important signaling pathways in diverse physiological conditions such as those activated in hypoxic microenvironments. The molecular response to hypoxia requires fast‐acting mechanisms acting within a wide range of partial pressures of oxygen (O2). Intracellular O2 sensing is an evolutionary preserved feature, and the best characterized molecular responses to hypoxia are mediated through transcriptional activation. The transcription factor, hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1), is a critical mediator of these adaptive responses, and its activation by hypoxia involves O2‐dependent posttranslational modifications and nuclear translocation. Through the induction of the expression of its target genes, HIF‐1 coordinately regulates tissue O2 supply and energetic metabolism. Other transcription factors such as nuclear factor κB are also redox sensitive and are activated in pro‐oxidant and hypoxic conditions. The purpose of this review is to summarize new developments in HIF‐mediated O2 sensing mechanisms and their interactions with reactive oxygen species–generating pathways in normal and abnormal physiology. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.