Amino acids as regulators of gene expression in mammals: molecular mechanisms.

In mammals, the impact of nutrients on gene expression has become an important area of research. Because amino acids have multiple and important functions, their homeostasis has to be finely maintained. However, amino acidemia can be affected in some nutritional conditions and by various forms of stress. Consequently, mammals have to adjust physiological functions involved in the adaptation to amino acid availability. Part of this regulation involves the modulation of numerous gene expression. It has been shown that amino acids by themselves can modify the expression of target genes. This review focuses on the recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the control of mammalian gene expression in response to amino acid limitation. (c) 2009 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.