Methodologic approaches for investigating human megakaryocyte development at a molecular level.
Rapid advances in defining the extracellular regulators of megakaryocyte (MK) development have heightened interest in defining the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of action of these cytokines. The recent development of molecular micromethodologies such as in situ hybridization, the polymerase chain reaction, and the use of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides now make such studies possible in normal cells. To illustrate the utility of these methods, data gathered using these methods on developing normal human hematopoietic cells and MKs is presented. As might be expected, the results obtained demonstrate that growth factors have complex time and concentration effects on gene expression in morphologically recognizable human MKs. They also suggest that a more complete understanding of normal MK development at the molecular level will soon be possible.
Gewirtz
A M
AM
Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008533:Megakaryocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000494:pharmacology; D010957:Plasmids / Q000378:metabolism; D011003:Ploidies; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate
D000199:Actins; D006133:Growth Substances; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate