ERYTHROPOIETIN GENE - REGULATION AND THER APEUTIC INTEREST

The erythopoietin (Epo) is a model of proteins expressed upon hypoxia, regulated at the transcriptional and post transcriptional levels. The Hypoxia Induced Factor (HIF-I) activates the transcription of genes w hich exhibit the Hypoxia Regulatory Element (HRE). In addition the mRN A is stabilized upon hypoxia, increasing the hormone synthesis. The Ep o gene is a convenient reporter gene to develop gene delivery systems and the in vivo regulation of the transgene. The beta thalassemia and acquired chronic anemias may benefit from the Epo gene transfer and ex pression, if it becomes safe, tunable and inexpensive.