Complex and diversified regulatory programs control the expression of vertebrate collagen genes. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • The collagens represent a family of structurally related but genetically distinct proteins whose function is essential to maintaining the integrity of vertebrate organs. In addition to their supportive roles, collagens influence a variety of developmental programs and physiological processes. Transcription of collagen genes is controlled by a series of complex interactions between cis-acting regulatory elements and trans-acting nuclear factors that have positive or negative effects on gene expression. Collagen synthesis relies on the timely utilization of diversified regulatory programs that employ tissue and cell-type specific promoters and enhancers. Some of these programs lead to the production of structurally variant chains in different tissues, while others shut down synthesis of a specific collagen type during cell differentiation. Still others control collagen expression in distinct cell lineages. The number, complexity, and variety of the mechanisms leading to the diversified expression of the collagen genes illustrate the unique contribution of this family of proteins to multicellular organogenesis.

publication date

  • April 1, 1990

Research

keywords

  • Collagen
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0025344441

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1096/fasebj.4.6.2180769

PubMed ID

  • 2180769

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 4

issue

  • 6