Abstract

The heterodimeric transcription factor HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1) induces angiogenesis, a process that is aberrantly elevated in cancer. The HIF-1β subunit is constitutively expressed, but the levels of the HIF-1α subunit are robustly regulated, increasing under hypoxic conditions and decreasing in normoxia. These changes result from rapid alterations in the rates of HIF-1α production and degradation. While the regulation of HIF-1α degradation is understood in significant detail, much less is known about the regulation of HIF-1α biosynthesis. Here, we review recent evidence that HIF-1α production is effectively controlled by post-transcriptional mechanisms. We focus on the RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and the non-coding RNAs that interact with the HIF-1α mRNA and influence its half-life and translation rate. HIF-1α mRNA-binding factors are emerging as promising pharmacological targets to control HIF-1α production selectively and efficiently.

Keywords: Post-transcriptional gene regulation, RNA-binding proteins, microRNA, antisense RNA, IRES