Regulation of gene expression in the lung

Abstract

Lung gene expression is regulated by a complex interaction of autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine factors. With cloning of lung-specific genes, the mechanisms of transcriptional control of lung gene expression are beginning to be deciphered. This review focuses on expression are beginning to be deciphered. This review focuses on recent research that identifies cis-active sequences and trans-active proteins interacting to control expression of lung-specific genes. Delineating the mode of gene regulation is important in beginning to understand the mechanisms underlying the cellular differentiation required for fetal development of lung cells and recovery of lung cells from acute and chronic injury.