Kruppel-like factor 1 (KLF1), KLF2, and Myc control a regulatory network essential for embryonic erythropoiesis

The Krüppel-like factor 1 (KLF1) and KLF2 positively regulate embryonic β-globin expression and have additional overlapping roles in embryonic (primitive) erythropoiesis. KLF1(-/-) KLF2(-/-) double knockout mice are anemic at embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) and die by E11.5, in contrast to single knockouts. To investigate the combined roles of KLF1 and KLF2 in primitive erythropoiesis, expression profiling of E9.5 erythroid cells was performed. A limited number of genes had a significantly decreasing trend of expression in wild-type, KLF1(-/-), and KLF1(-/-) KLF2(-/-) mice. Among these, the gene for Myc (c-Myc) emerged as a central node in the most significant gene network. The expression of the Myc gene is synergistically regulated by KLF1 and KLF2, and both factors bind the Myc promoters. To characterize the role of Myc in primitive erythropoiesis, ablation was performed specifically in mouse embryonic proerythroblast cells. After E9.5, these embryos exhibit an arrest in the normal expansion of circulating red cells and develop anemia, analogous to KLF1(-/-) KLF2(-/-) embryos. In the absence of Myc, circulating erythroid cells do not show the normal increase in α- and β-like globin gene expression but, interestingly, have accelerated erythroid cell maturation between E9.5 and E11.5. This study reveals a novel regulatory network by which KLF1 and KLF2 regulate Myc to control the primitive erythropoietic program.     

KLF8表达修饰及致瘤机制研究进展

KLF8(Krüppel-like factor 8)是Krüppel 样转录因子家族最新成员。KLF8广泛表达于皮肤、脂肪、食道等组织中。早期研究表明,KLF8蛋白具有转录抑制活性,在胚胎发育过程中起重要作用。而近些年大量的研究发现KLF8在多种肿瘤组织中异常高表达,具有转录活化因子活性,可通过对细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭、EMT、细胞干性等多项生理过程调控促进肿瘤发生发展。综述了近年来KLF8研究进展,系统阐述了KLF8表达修饰调控及致瘤机制,为全面深入了解KLF8在肿瘤中作用及后续相关研究提供参考。