Identification of a novel transcription factor, ELYS, expressed predominantly in mouse foetal haematopoietic tissues

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2443.2002.00529.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-11T22:49:08Z
• Authors: Naoki Kimura; Makiko Takizawa; Keisuke Okita; Osamu Natori; Katsuhide Igarashi; Masaya Ueno; Kin‐ichi Nakashima; Ikuo Nobuhisa; Tetsuya Taga
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 0303 health sciences; Molecular Sequence Data; Gene Expression; Bone Marrow Cells; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; DNA-Binding Proteins; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; Sequence Analysis, Protein; Animals; Humans; Amino Acid Sequence; Sequence Alignment; Transcription Factors

Abstract Background : The precise mechanism governing the generation of haematopoietic stem cells still remains to be understood, partly because molecules required for early haematopoiesis have not fully been identified. Results We identified a novel gene expressed in embryonic tissues, designated ELYS (for large molecule derived from yolk sac), which has no significant homology with any other known molecules. Based on cDNA sequence, mouse protein is composed 2243 amino acid residues and contains an AT‐hook DNA‐binding domain, eight nuclear localization signals (NLSs) at C‐terminal region, three export (NESs) two WD repeats N‐terminal region. potential shuttle between cytoplasm nucleus. When nucleus, present matrix. Fusions yeast GAL4 domain various mutants reveal presence transcriptional activation inhibitory domains. predominantly i.e. foetal liver, spleen, thymus, whereas expression down‐regulated adult. In aorta‐gonad‐mesonephros (AGM) region 11.5 dpc embryo, endothelium lining dorsal aorta. adult bone marrow, notably Lin − /c‐kit + /Sca‐1 population. Conclusions reported isolation characterization molecule, ELYS. seems transcription factor associated both mature events.