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Disruption of the homeobox gene Hoxb‐6 in mice results in increased numbers of early erythrocyte progenitors
Author(s) -
Kappen Claudia
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/1096-8652(200010)65:2<111::aid-ajh4>3.0.co;2-z
Subject(s) - progenitor cell , biology , homeobox , haematopoiesis , hox gene , progenitor , microbiology and biotechnology , bone marrow , cellular differentiation , stem cell , transcription factor , immunology , genetics , gene
Hox genes encode transcription factors that are required for proper development of certain tissues and for patterning of the hindbrain, the limbs, and skeleton. They are also expressed in the hematopoietic system with a preference for specific cell lineages. To determine the role of Hoxb‐6 in normal hematopoiesis, mice with a targeted disruption in the Hoxb‐6 gene were generated. Mature hematopoietic cell types and immune responses are normal in homozygous Hoxb‐6 mutants. Clonogenic progenitor cell assays demonstrate an increased number of early erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow and fetal liver of mutants, while differentiation of other cell lineages is unaffected. These results suggest that Hoxb‐6 controls the generation, proliferation, or survival of erythroid progenitor cells. Am. J. Hematol. 65:111–118, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.