Abstract
Inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene is associated with the development of highly vascularized tumors. pVHL targets the alpha subunits of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) for ubiquitin-mediated degradation in an oxygen-dependent manner. Although pVHL-deficient tumor cell lines demonstrate constitutive stabilization and activation of HIF, it has yet to be shown that loss of murine Vhl alone is sufficient to dysregulate HIF. We utilized a genetic approach to demonstrate that loss of Vhl is sufficient not only to stabilize HIF-alpha subunits under normoxia, but also fully activate HIF-mediated responses. These studies have implications for the hierarchy of signaling events leading to HIF stabilization, nuclear translocation, and target gene expression. We further demonstrate that loss of murine Vhl does not promote teratocarcinoma growth, indicating that other genetic changes must occur to facilitate Vhl-mediated tumorigenesis.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Apoptosis / genetics
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1
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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
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Ligases / deficiency
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Ligases / genetics*
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Mice
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Neoplasms, Experimental / blood supply
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Neoplasms, Experimental / genetics*
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Neoplasms, Experimental / metabolism
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Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
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Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
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Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
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Protein Subunits / genetics
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Protein Subunits / metabolism
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Teratocarcinoma / blood supply
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Teratocarcinoma / metabolism
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Teratocarcinoma / pathology
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Transcription Factors*
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Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Tumor Suppressor Proteins*
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Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases*
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Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein
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von Hippel-Lindau Disease / genetics*
Substances
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Hif1a protein, mouse
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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1
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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
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Nuclear Proteins
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Protein Subunits
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Transcription Factors
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Tumor Suppressor Proteins
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Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
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Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein
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Ligases