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Progression through key stages of haemopoiesis is dependent on distinct threshold levels of c‐Myb
Author(s) -
Emambokus Nikla,
Vegiopoulos Alexandros,
Harman Ben,
Jenkinson Eric,
Anderson Graham,
Frampton Jon
Publication year - 2003
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/cdg434
Subject(s) - biology , myb , haematopoiesis , key (lock) , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , immunology , stem cell , transcription factor , gene , ecology
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.