Host gene expression pathways

Host gene expression pathways encompass the complex series of cellular processes through which a cell's genetic information is transcribed into RNA and translated into proteins. This includes transcription by RNA polymerases, mRNA splicing and processing, nuclear export, and translation by ribosomes, as well as the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate these steps (Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 2014). In the context of infectious diseases, many pathogens, particularly viruses, have evolved mechanisms to hijack or suppress these host pathways to prioritize the production of viral components and evade the host immune response (Cell Host & Microbe, 2019). While specific components of these pathways (such as HDACs or specific translation factors) are targeted by drugs, the term "Host gene expression pathways" itself refers to a broad biological process rather than a single discrete therapeutic target. Consequently, therapeutic strategies focusing on these pathways must be highly selective to avoid the significant toxicity associated with disrupting global cellular maintenance (Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2020).

Other names

Host cell gene expressionTranscriptional and translational machineryHost protein synthesis pathwaysGene expression regulation

Modulation of the cellular machinery responsible for converting genetic information into functional proteins, often through inhibition of RNA polymerases, ribosomal activity, or epigenetic modifiers.