Extinction of expression of the genes encoding haematopoietic cell-restricted transcription factors in T-lymphoma x fibroblast cell hybrids

Foundational concepts of cell fate conversion to the hematopoietic lineage

Direct conversion of cellular fate provides a potential approach to generate cells of the hematopoietic lineage without the requisite reversion to a pluripotent state via somatic cell reprogramming. The utilization of this technology has enabled transcription factor-mediated conversion of somatic cell types to primitive and mature hematopoietic cells. Recent studies demonstrate that the direct conversion of somatic cells to the hematopoietic lineage likely requires the use of pioneer transcription factors to establish an accessible chromatin state that is responsive to enforced expression of hematopoietic-specific transcription factors, in combination with appropriate culture conditions that facilitate reprogramming. Developing adaptable, experimental strategies that incorporate these parameters should enable the efficient generation of human hematopoietic cells with translational potential.

Molecular biology of the Ets family of transcription factors

The Ets family of transcription factors characterized by an evolutionarily-conserved DNA-binding domain regulates expression of a variety of viral and cellular genes by binding to a purine-rich GGAA/T core sequence in cooperation with other transcriptional factors and co-factors. Most Ets family proteins are nuclear targets for activation of Ras-MAP kinase signaling pathway and some of them affect proliferation of cells by regulating the immediate early response genes and other growth-related genes. Some of them also regulate apoptosis-related genes. Several Ets family proteins are preferentially expressed in specific cell lineages and are involved in their development and differentiation by increasing the enhancer or promoter activities of the genes encoding growth factor receptors and integrin families specific for the cell lineages. Many Ets family proteins also modulate gene expression through protein-protein interactions with other cellular partners. Deregulated expression or formation of chimeric fusion proteins of Ets family due to proviral insertion or chromosome translocation is associated with leukemias and specific types of solid tumors. Several Ets family proteins also participate in malignancy of tumor cells including invasion and metastasis by activating the transcription of several protease genes and angiogenesis-related genes.