Investigation of genes that are regulated during erythroid differentiation

grantor: University of TorontoIn this thesis we attempted to identify novel genes that may play a role in erythroid proliferation and differentiation using the unique erythroleukemia cell line HB60-5. By utilizing the approach of subtractive hybridization, I have isolated clone 5, a gene whose expression is regulated during erythroid differentiation. Expression of clone 5 is high in HB60-5 cells and decreases as cells are induced to undergo terminal differentiation. Clone 5 appears to be widely expressed in murine and human hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cell lines. However expression of clone 5 appears to be minimal in normal murine tissue with the exception of brain. A decrease in clone 5 expression was also observed during terminal differentiation of various hematopoietic precursors. Therefore clone 5 may represent a novel gene that plays a role in the transition from cellular proliferation to différentiation. Characterization of this gene may provide further insights into the mechanisms of hematopoiesis and malignant transformation.M.Sc