Hira基因与发育:从酵母到人类

Hira Gene and Development: From Yeast to Human

Hir/Hira基因产物HIR/HIRA为组蛋白的伴侣蛋白,最先作为组蛋白基因表达的一种负调节因子从酵母中被鉴定出来。现已证实,HIRA包含一组保守的蛋白家族,广泛存在于低等真核生物、无脊椎动物和脊椎动物等多种生物体当中,为生命发育所必需。Hir/Hira基因功能突变对酵母以及高等真核生物的发育都有非常严重的影响。结合研究组的工作,综述了组蛋白调节基因Hir/Hira在不同生物体发育过程中的作用,以及该领域的研究方向之一———HIRA作用机理的最新进展。

HIR/HIRA, one of the histone chaperones, encoded by Hir/Hira （histone regulation） genes, were initially identified in yeast as negative regulators of histone gene expression. It has been confirmed that HIRA contains a conserved family of proteins found in various species including low eukaryotes, invertebrates and vertebrates. It is essential for proper development. Mutations of Hir/Hira genes result in very serious defects in normal development not only in yeast but also in advanced eukaryotes. Oombined with the work in our group, the roles of Hir/Hira genes in the development in different species are reviewed, and the recent advances concerning the mechanisms of HIRA functioning are also summarized in an attempt to promote the research further on the exact roles of hira genes in development of eukaryotes and on their deeply operating mechanisms.