以前的研究認(rèn)為,，一個(gè)表達(dá)被改變的基因與人類白血病和尤文肉瘤有關(guān),，現(xiàn)在研究人員發(fā)現(xiàn)，這種基因是血液干細(xì)胞功能正常發(fā)揮所必需的,，新成果日前發(fā)表在在線出版的《自然—免疫學(xué)》（Nature Immunology）期刊上,。科學(xué)家們說(shuō),，這種名為Erg的基因保持了血液干細(xì)胞的適當(dāng)數(shù)量,，能持續(xù)向血液供應(yīng)短命的成熟細(xì)胞。
利用對(duì)小鼠的基因掃描,， Benjamin Kile和合作者在Erg基因中發(fā)現(xiàn)了一種可影響干細(xì)胞總量的變異,。通過(guò)評(píng)估不同類的原始血液細(xì)胞形成成熟血液細(xì)胞的能力，他們發(fā)現(xiàn)當(dāng)Erg基因發(fā)生變異時(shí),，血液中干細(xì)胞數(shù)量降低了,。這樣,，Erg基因中的部分變異導(dǎo)致了血液干細(xì)胞數(shù)量的減少,，而這又與人類白血病相關(guān)。
新發(fā)現(xiàn)揭示Erg基因獨(dú)立于人類癌癥的一個(gè)重要功能,，同時(shí)也表明,，利用模式小鼠和基因掃描來(lái)鑒別特定基因?qū)θ祟惏┌Y和其他疾病的影響是很重要的一種方法。（生物谷Bioon.com）
生物谷推薦原始出處：
Nature Immunology,，doi:10.1038/ni.1617,，Stephen J Loughran，Benjamin T Kile
The transcription factor Erg is essential for definitive hematopoiesis and the function of adult hematopoietic stem cells
Stephen J Loughran1,2,3, Elizabeth A Kruse1,3, Douglas F Hacking1,4, Carolyn A de Graaf1,3, Craig D Hyland2, Tracy A Willson1, Katya J Henley1, Sarah Ellis5, Anne K Voss1, Donald Metcalf2, Douglas J Hilton1,3,6, Warren S Alexander2,3,6 & Benjamin T Kile1,3,6
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.
