The transcription factor Erg is essential for definitive hematopoiesis and the function of adult hematopoietic stem cells.
Ets-related gene (ERG), which encodes a member of the Ets family of transcription factors, is a potent oncogene. Chromosomal rearrangements involving ERG are found in acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Ewing's sarcoma and more than half of all prostate cancers; however, the normal physiological function of Erg is unknown. We did a sensitized genetic screen of the mouse for regulators of hematopoietic stem cell function and report here a germline mutation of Erg. We show that Erg is required for definitive hematopoiesis, adult hematopoietic stem cell function and the maintenance of normal peripheral blood platelet numbers.
Loughran
Stephen J
SJ
Division of Molecular Medicine, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia.
Kruse
Elizabeth A
EA
Hacking
Douglas F
DF
de Graaf
Carolyn A
CA
Hyland
Craig D
CD
Willson
Tracy A
TA
Henley
Katya J
KJ
Ellis
Sarah
S
Voss
Anne K
AK
Metcalf
Donald
D
Hilton
Douglas J
DJ
Alexander
Warren S
WS
Kile
Benjamin T
BT
D000818:Animals; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000502:physiology*; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009154:Mutation; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D000071230:Transcriptional Regulator ERG
C072312:ERG protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D000071230:Transcriptional Regulator ERG