Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 Alpha (HIF1a)

The HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor) transcription factor is a member of the basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family of transcription factors and plays an important role in maintaining cellular oxygen homeostasis. The hypoxia-inducible transcription factor 1α (HIF-1α) is the regulated member of the transcription factor heterodimer HIF-1. HIF-1α has emerged as an important drug target in breast and prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, and ischemia.

HIF-1alpha abundance (and its subsequent activity) is regulated transcriptionally in an NF-κB dependent manner. In addition, the coordinated activity of the prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) maintain the appropriate balance of HIF-1α protein in the post-translation phase.