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HIF-1 Pathway – Hypoxia Signaling, Tumor Adaptation and Biomarker Analysis

What is the HIF-1 pathway?

The HIF-1 pathway is a central oxygen-sensing signaling mechanism that regulates cellular adaptation to hypoxia.

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 (HIF-1) is a transcription factor composed of two subunits:

  • HIF-1α (oxygen-sensitive)
  • HIF-1β (constitutively expressed)

The HIF-1 pathway regulates:

    • Angiogenesis
    • Metabolic reprogramming
    • Erythropoiesis
    • Cell survival
    • Tumor microenvironment adaptation
Explore hypoxia-related gene expression with AnyGenes® HIF-1 Pathway qPCR Array, designed for precise analysis of cellular responses to low oxygen levels.

Dysregulation of HIF-1 signaling is strongly associated with cancer progression, ischemic diseases, chronic inflammation, and therapy resistance.

HIF-1 signaling activity can be efficiently assessed by measuring expression of HIF-1 target genes and downstream transcriptional signatures.

HIF-1 signaling biomarker list
View the genes included in our HIF-1 qPCR arrays.

The oncogenic and tumor suppressive activity of HIF in tumor and stromal cells.
The oncogenic and tumor suppressive activity of HIF in tumor and stromal cells.

Key takeaways

  • Master regulator of hypoxia-induced gene expression
  • Drives angiogenesis and tumor vascularization
  • Controls glycolytic metabolic shift
  • Promotes tumor survival and drug resistance
  • High-value target for oncology biomarker research

Core molecular mechanisms of the HIF-1 pathway

Oxygen-dependent
regulation

Under normal oxygen levels:

  • Prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) hydroxylate HIF-1α
  • The VHL complex targets HIF-1α for proteasomal degradation

Under hypoxia:

  • Hydroxylation is inhibited
  • HIF-1α accumulates
  • Dimerization with HIF-1β occurs
  • Transcription of hypoxia-responsive genes is initiated

Angiogenesis
activation

HIF-1 induces expression of:

  • VEGF
  • PDGF
  • Angiopoietins

These factors promote vascular remodeling and oxygen delivery, particularly in tumors.

Metabolic
reprogramming

HIF-1 drives a metabolic switch toward glycolysis by upregulating:

  • GLUT1
  • LDHA
  • PDK1

This shift enables ATP production independent of oxidative phosphorylation and supports tumor survival.

Crosstalk with other signaling pathways

The HIF-1 transcriptional program drives a metabolic switch toward glycolysis by upregulating:

These interactions amplify survival signals and contribute to therapeutic resistance.

HIF-1 pathway in cancer

Tumor hypoxia activates HIF-dependent transcription, promoting:

  • Angiogenesis
  • Immune evasion
  • Invasion and metastasis
  • Resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy
  • Stemness and tumor plasticity

HIF-1α overexpression is correlated with poor prognosis in multiple cancer types.

HIF-1 pathway in non-oncological diseases

Ischemic diseases

HIF-1 regulates protective responses following myocardial infarction or stroke.

Chronic inflammatory disorders

Hypoxia-driven HIF activation modulates immune cell metabolism and inflammatory signaling.

Metabolic disorders

HIF-1 influences glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

Therapeutic targeting of HIF-1

Because of its central role in tumor adaptation, the HIF-1  is an emerging therapeutic target.

Current strategies include:

  • HIF-1α inhibitors
  • PHD modulators
  • Anti-angiogenic therapies
  • Combination treatments targeting mTOR + HIF

Accurate biomarker profiling of HIF-1 activity is essential for patient stratification and treatment monitoring.

Why study the HIF-1 pathway with AnyGenes®?

At AnyGenes®, we provide high-performance qPCR arrays and customizable SignArrays® dedicated to hypoxia and HIF analysis.

Our solutions allow researchers to:

  • Quantify HIF-1 target gene signatures
  • Analyze angiogenic and metabolic markers
  • Investigate tumor microenvironment adaptation
  • Study hypoxia-driven drug resistance
  • Generate robust, publication-ready data

Customize your own signaling pathways (SignArrays®) with the factors of your choice!
Simply download and complete our Personalized SignArrays® information file and send it at [email protected] to get started on your project.

Frequently asked questions

The HIF-1 pathway is an oxygen-sensitive signaling mechanism that regulates gene expression under hypoxic conditions through stabilization of HIF-1α and activation of hypoxia-responsive genes.

Under low oxygen levels, HIF-1α stabilizes, dimerizes with HIF-1β, and activates transcription of genes involved in angiogenesis, metabolism, and survival.

Tumor hypoxia activates HIF-1 signaling, promoting angiogenesis, metabolic adaptation, immune evasion, metastasis, and resistance to therapy.

Key target genes include VEGFA, EPO, GLUT1, LDHA, and PDK1, which support vascularization and metabolic adaptation.

HIF-1 activity can be measured by assessing gene expression of HIF-1α, angiogenic factors, and glycolytic enzymes using targeted gene expression tools such as qPCR pathway arrays.

  1. Fu X et Zhang F. Role of the HIF-1 signaling pathway in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Exp Ther Med. (2018);16(6):4553-4561.
  2. Jin Q et al. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 signaling pathway influences the sensitivity of HCC827 cells to gefitinib. Oncol Lett. (2019);17(4):4034-4043.
  3. Li H et al. Targeting HIF-1α signaling pathway for gastric cancer treatment. Pharmazie.(2019);74(1):3-7.
  4. Qin Y et al. Salidroside improves the hypoxic tumor microenvironment and reverses the drug resistance of platinum drugs via HIF-1α signaling pathway. EBioMedicine. (2018);38:25-36.
  5. Huang Y et al. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) in the tumor microenvironment: friend or foe? Sci China Life Sci. (2017);60(10):1114-1124.
  6. Lee HJ et al. Role of HIF1α Regulatory Factors in Stem Cells. Int J Stem Cells. (2019 );12(1):8-20.
  7. Xia Y et al. The role of HIF-1α in chemo-/radioresistant tumors. Onco Targets Ther. (2018); 11: 3003–3011.

HIF-1 signaling pathway biomarker list

You can check the biomarker list included in this pathway, see below:

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