Hypothalamic transcription factors and the regulation of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system.

The transcription factors that confer high level expression and regulate the genes encoding neurohypophysial hormones are largely unknown. A number of different approaches have been taken to identify these factors and to elucidate molecular mechanisms of physiological gene regulation. In this chapter two transcription factor families are considered: homeodomain proteins and nuclear receptors. Their identification in the hypothalamus and actions on the OT gene are addressed here.