Complex and diversified regulatory programs control the expression of vertebrate collagen genes

Francesco Ramirez, Maurizio Di Liberto

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

100 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1616-1623
Number of pages8
JournalFASEB Journal
Volume4
Issue number6
StatePublished - 1 Apr 1990
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Collagens
  • Development
  • Differentiation
  • Extracellular matrix
  • Gene expression
  • Transcription

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