Progression through key stages of haemopoiesis is dependent on distinct threshold levels of c-Myb

The c‐Myb transcription factor is expressed in immature haemopoietic cells and at key stages during differentiation. Loss of the c‐ myb gene results in embryonic lethality because mature blood cells fail to develop, although commitment to definitive haemopoiesis occurs. We have generated a knockdown...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The EMBO journal 2003-09, Vol.22 (17), p.4478-4488
Main Authors: Emambokus, Nikla, Vegiopoulos, Alexandros, Harman, Ben, Jenkinson, Eric, Anderson, Graham, Frampton, Jon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alleles
Animals
Base Sequence
c-Myb
c-Myb protein
commitment
Cre-loxP
DNA - genetics
EMBO07
EMBO09
Erythropoiesis - genetics
Erythropoiesis - physiology
Fetal Death - genetics
Genes, myb
haemopoietic progenitors
Hematopoiesis - genetics
Hematopoiesis - physiology
Hematopoietic Stem Cells - cytology
Hematopoietic Stem Cells - immunology
Homozygote
knockdown mutation
Lymphopoiesis - genetics
Lymphopoiesis - physiology
Mice
Mice, Knockout
Mice, Mutant Strains
Mutagenesis, Insertional
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb - deficiency
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb - physiology
T-Lymphocytes - cytology
T-Lymphocytes - immunology
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Description
Summary:The c‐Myb transcription factor is expressed in immature haemopoietic cells and at key stages during differentiation. Loss of the c‐ myb gene results in embryonic lethality because mature blood cells fail to develop, although commitment to definitive haemopoiesis occurs. We have generated a knockdown allele of c‐ myb , expressing low levels of the protein, which has enabled us to investigate further the involvement of c‐Myb in haemopoiesis. Low levels of c‐Myb are sufficient to allow progenitor expansion but, importantly, we show that progression of progenitors towards terminal differentiation is significantly altered. Suboptimal levels of c‐Myb favour differentiation of macrophage and megakaryocytes, while higher levels seem to be particularly important in the control of erythropoiesis and lymphopoiesis. We provide evidence that the transition from the CFU‐E to erythroblasts is critically dependent on c‐Myb levels. During thymopoiesis, c‐Myb appears to regulate immature cell numbers and differentiation prior to expression of CD4 and CD8. Overall, our results point to a complex involvement of c‐Myb in the regulation of proliferation and commitment within the haemopoietic hierarchy.
ISSN:0261-4189
1460-2075
1460-2075
DOI:10.1093/emboj/cdg434