Oxygen is crucial for cellular energy metabolism. However, mammalian embryonic development involves an environment of low oxygen pressure (pO2), and in several types of tumors hypoxia results from the high energy demand of rapidly proliferating cells. Several cellular hypoxia-adaptive strategies are similar in embryogenesis and tumorigenesis. For example, “re-programming” of gene expression restores an early developmental state in tumors. This Research Topic reviews recent findings regarding the role of oxygen in embryogenesis and tumorigenesis.
Oxygen is crucial for cellular energy metabolism. However, mammalian embryonic development involves an environment of low oxygen pressure (pO2), and in several types of tumors hypoxia results from the high energy demand of rapidly proliferating cells. Several cellular hypoxia-adaptive strategies are similar in embryogenesis and tumorigenesis. For example, “re-programming” of gene expression restores an early developmental state in tumors. This Research Topic reviews recent findings regarding the role of oxygen in embryogenesis and tumorigenesis.