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Defective haematopoiesis in fetal liver resulting from inactivation of the EKLF gene

Nature volume 375, pages 316–318 (1995)Cite this article

Abstract

ERYTHROID Krüppel-like factor (EKLF) was originally isolated from erythroid cell RNA by differential screening and shown to be erythroid-specific, although a low level of EKLF was found in mast cell lines1,2. EKLF contains three zinc-fingers homologous to those found in the Kriippel family of transcription factors. Because it binds the sequence CCACACCCT, EKLF may affect erythroid development as a result of its ability to bind to the CAC box in the promoter of the β-globin gene1,2. Mutation of this element leads to reduced pβ-globin expression3-5and it appears to mediate the effect of the globin locus control region on the promoter6. Here we inactivate the EKLF gene through insertion of a lacZ reporter gene by homologous recombination in embryonic stem (ES) cells. Heterozygous EKLF+/- mice show that the reporter gene is expressed in a developmental!) specific manner in all types of erythroblasts in the fetal liver and adult bone marrow. Homo-zygous EKLF-/- mice appear normal during the embryonic stage of haematopoiesis in the yolk sac, but develop a fatal anaemia during early fetal life when haematopoiesis has switched to the fetal liver. Enucleated erythrocytes are formed but these do not contain the proper amount of haemoglobin. We conclude that the transcription factor EKLF is essential for the final steps of definitive erythropoiesis in fetal liver.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MGC Department of Cell Biology and Genetics,

    Beatriz Nuez, Dave Michalovich & Frank Grosveld

  2. Department of Haematology, Erasmus University, Dr Molewaterplein 50, 3015 GE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Rob Ploemacher

  3. Department of Gene Structure and Expression, National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, NW7 1AA, London, UK

    Beatriz Nuez, Dave Michalovich, Anne Bygrave & Frank Grosveld

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  1. Beatriz Nuez
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  4. Rob Ploemacher
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  5. Frank Grosveld
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Nuez, B., Michalovich, D., Bygrave, A. et al. Defective haematopoiesis in fetal liver resulting from inactivation of the EKLF gene. Nature 375, 316–318 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/375316a0

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