Characterization of the' oxygen sensor' machinery regulating the hypoxia response

机体在缺氧条件下调节多种生理功能，如呼吸和代谢，以维持体内平衡。目前还不清楚是什么分子在体内扮演着“氧气传感器”的角色。在本研究中，我们重点研究了缺氧依赖蛋白复合物（hypoxia complex），并表征了其组分之一PRP19。我们能够证明以下分子机制：(1)PRP19抑制缺氧细胞死亡；(2)转录抑制导致PRP19下调。

Organisms regulate multiple physiological functions such as respiration and metabolism under hypoxic conditions to maintain homeostasis. It still remains to be understood what is the molecule playing a role as an' oxygen sensor' in vivo. In the present study, we have focused on the hypoxia-dependent protein complex(hypoxia complex) and characterized one of its components, PRP19. We are able to demonstrate the molecular mechanism underlying i) the hypoxic cell death which is inhibited by PRP19 and ii) the transcriptional suppression which leads to the downregulation of PRP19.