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Establishing the transcriptional programme for blood: the SCL stem cell enhancer is regulated by a multiprotein complex containing Ets and GATA factors
Author(s) -
Göttgens Berthold,
Nastos Aristotelis,
Kinston Sarah,
Piltz Sandie,
Delabesse Eric C.M.,
Stanley Maureen,
Sanchez MariaJose,
CiauUitz Aldo,
Patient Roger,
Green Anthony R.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1093/emboj/cdf286
Subject(s) - enhancer , biology , transcription factor , stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , haematopoiesis , transcription (linguistics) , transcriptional regulation , basic helix loop helix , ets transcription factor family , genetics , gene , dna binding protein , linguistics , philosophy
Stem cells are a central feature of metazoan biology. Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) represent the best‐characterized example of this phenomenon, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for their formation remain obscure. The stem cell leukaemia (SCL) gene encodes a basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factor with an essential role in specifying HSCs. Here we have addressed the transcriptional hierarchy responsible for HSC formation by characterizing an SCL 3′ enhancer that targets expression to HSCs and endothelium and their bipotential precursors, the haemangioblast. We have identified three critical motifs, which are essential for enhancer function and bind GATA‐2, Fli‐1 and Elf‐1 in vivo . Our results suggest that these transcription factors are key components of an enhanceosome responsible for activating SCL transcription and establishing the transcriptional programme required for HSC formation.