A single point mutation in the v-ets oncogene affects both erythroid and myelomonocytic cell differentiation.
The v-myb, ets-containing avian leukemia virus E26 is unique in its capacity to transform both erythroblasts and myeloblasts. Previous studies showing that v-myb is sufficient for the transformation of myeloid cells failed to definitively establish the role of the v-ets gene. We have now isolated a mutant of E26, ts1.1, that is temperature-sensitive for erythroid cell transformation and that we found to contain a single mutation in the v-ets gene. Surprisingly, myeloid cells transformed by this mutant showed an altered phenotype relative to wild-type-transformed cells, in that they resemble promyelocytes. In addition, infection of mature macrophages with ts1.1 led to their transformation and conversion into promyelocyte-like cells. We conclude that the v-ets domain of the p135gag-myb-ets protein of E26 has an effect on both erythroid and myeloid cell differentiation, suggesting a possible role for the c-ets/c-myb genes in the commitment of hematopoietic cells towards specific lineages.
Golay
J
J
Differentiation Program, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Introna
M
M
Graf
T
T
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002645:Chickens; D004900:Erythroblasts / Q000166:cytology*; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology*; D009154:Mutation; D009857:Oncogenes; D013696:Temperature