Loss of E2F4 activity leads to abnormal development of multiple cellular lineages.
We have generated mice deficient in E2F4 activity, the major form of E2F in many cell types. Analysis of newborn pups deficient in E2F4 revealed abnormalities in hematopoietic lineage development as well as defects in the development of the gut epithelium. Specifically, we observed a deficiency of various mature hematopoietic cell types together with an increased number of immature cells in several lineages. This was associated with an increased frequency of apoptotic cells. We also found a substantial reduction in the thickness of the gut epithelium that normally gives rise to crypts as well as a reduction in the density of villi. These observations suggest a critical role for E2F4 activity in controlling the maturation of cells in a number of tissues.
Rempel
R E
RE
Department of Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
Saenz-Robles
M T
MT
Storms
R
R
Morham
S
S
Ishida
S
S
Engel
A
A
Jakoi
L
L
Melhem
M F
MF
Pipas
J M
JM
Smith
C
C
Nevins
J R
JR
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000196:embryology; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D050704:E2F4 Transcription Factor; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000235:genetics; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000002:abnormalities*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050704:E2F4 Transcription Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors