Expression of an erythroid transcription factor in megakaryocytic and mast cell lineages
Article Abstract:
The bodies of humans, laboratory mice, and all other creatures consist of a bewildering array of different cell types, most of which are replaced as they grow old. Yet there are only a few so-called stem cells which multiply and provide replacement cells. An important and formidable problem facing modern biology is understanding the mechanisms by which the primitive progenitor cells arise from the stem cells, undergo differentiation, and become functioning adult cells. In the case of red blood cells, or erythrocytes, a factor called GF-1 was implicated in the differentiation of the progenitor cells. GF-1 has been found in the developmental stages of erythrocytes as well as in erythroleukemia, but is absent from many other types of cells. It was thought that GF-1 was specific to progenitor cells in the process of becoming red blood cells, but research has now shown that this is not the case. GF-1 has also been identified in megakaryocytes, which are the bone marrow cells that form platelets, and in bone marrow-derived mast cells, which have a role in allergy. The three cell types expressing GF-1 are thought to have a common cellular heritage. That is, some stem cells divide to yield daughters whose progeny may be erythrocytes, megakaryocytes, or mast cells, but no other type of cell. It seems, therefore, that GF-1, which is found in the nuclei of these cells, probably plays a role not only in the development of red blood cells, but in the very early stages of differentiation, when a primitive stem cell daughter undergoes the very first of the numerous changes that take place as it becomes an adult cell. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1990
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Erythroid transcription factor NF-E2 is a haematopoietic-specific basic-leucine zipper protein
Article Abstract:
The characterization of the erythroid-specific nuclear factor NF-E2 and the molecular cloning of the cDNA encoding its tissue-specific component p45 NF-E2 are reported. The results showed that NF-E2 is a member of the hematopoietic cell-specific basic region-leucine zipper family of transcription factors. Missense mutation and recombinant NF-E2 expression experiments showed that NF-E2 plays a key role in DNA-binding activity.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1993
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Prostaglandin E2 regulates vertebrate haematopoietic stem cell homeostasis
Article Abstract:
The article explains how prostaglandin E2 enhances the number of haematopoietic stem cells in two species of vertebrate animals.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2007
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