title: The transcription factor Erg is essential for definitive hematopoiesis and the function of adult hematopoietic stem cells.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Medicine, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Loughran
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kruse
authors.forename: Douglas F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Hacking
authors.forename: Carolyn A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: de Graaf
authors.forename: Craig D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Hyland
authors.forename: Tracy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Willson
authors.forename: Katya J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Henley
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Anne K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Voss
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Metcalf
authors.forename: Douglas J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hilton
authors.forename: Warren S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Benjamin T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Kile
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: C072312:ERG protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D000071230:Transcriptional Regulator ERG