Transcriptional control in the mammalian liver: Liver development, perinatal repression, and zonal gene regulation

B. T. Spear, L. Jin, S. Ramasamy, A. Dobierzewska

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

66 Scopus citations

Abstract

Liver function is crucial for maintaining metabolic homeostasis in mammals. Numerous genes must be properly regulated for the liver to develop and perform a variety of activities. Several recent gene-knockout studies in mice have clarified the roles of GATA6, HNF4α, and Foxa1/Foxa2 in early stages of liver formation. After the liver forms, transcriptional changes continue to occur; during the perinatal period, certain genes such as α-fetoprotein and H19 are silenced, others are activated, and position-dependent (or zonal) regulation is established. Zhx2 was recently identified as one factor involved in postnatal repression of α-fetoprotein and other genes. Furthermore, several studies indicate that negative regulation is involved in the zonal control of glutamine synthetase. Finally, exciting new evidence indicates that signaling through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is also involved in zonal regulation in the adult liver.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2922-2938
Number of pages17
JournalCellular and Molecular Life Sciences
Volume63
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2006

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesR01DK051600

    Keywords

    • Alpha-fetoprotein
    • Glutamine synthetase
    • Liver development
    • Wnt/β-catenin
    • Zhx2

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Molecular Medicine
    • Molecular Biology
    • Pharmacology
    • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
    • Cell Biology

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