Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) restricts hematopoietic stem cell activity.
Polycomb group proteins are transcriptional repressors that play a central role in the establishment and maintenance of gene expression patterns during development. Using mice with an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced mutation in Suppressor of Zeste 12 (Suz12), a core component of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), we show here that loss of Suz12 function enhances hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) activity. In addition to these effects on a wild-type genetic background, mutations in Suz12 are sufficient to ameliorate the stem cell defect and thrombocytopenia present in mice that lack the thrombopoietin receptor (c-Mpl). To investigate the molecular targets of the PRC2 complex in the HSC compartment, we examined changes in global patterns of gene expression in cells deficient in Suz12. We identified a distinct set of genes that are regulated by Suz12 in hematopoietic cells, including eight genes that appear to be highly responsive to PRC2 function within this compartment. These data suggest that PRC2 is required to maintain a specific gene expression pattern in hematopoiesis that is indispensable to normal stem cell function.
Majewski
Ian J
IJ
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Blewitt
Marnie E
ME
de Graaf
Carolyn A
CA
McManus
Edward J
EJ
Bahlo
Melanie
M
Hilton
Adrienne A
AA
Hyland
Craig D
CD
Smyth
Gordon K
GK
Corbin
Jason E
JE
Metcalf
Donald
D
Alexander
Warren S
WS
Hilton
Douglas J
DJ
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D063151:Polycomb Repressive Complex 2; D063146:Polycomb-Group Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D063146:Polycomb-Group Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C494163:Suz12 protein, mouse; D063151:Polycomb Repressive Complex 2