Mechanisms underlying the expression regulation of HOXB4 transcription in hematopoietic stem cells - review / 中国实验血液学杂志

ABSTRACT

As a member of the hox gene family, hoxB4 gene encodes a class of DNA-dependent homeobox domain nucleoprotein, which is a specific transcription factor, playing an important role in regulating the balance between self-renewal and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanisms involved in regulating expression of hoxB4 in the HSC. Previous studies have suggested that some hoxB4 upstream regulatory factors, such as USF-1 (upstream activating factor -1), USF-2 (upstream activating factor -2) and NF-Y complex, as well as hematopoietic cytokines, such as platelet growth factor (TPO) and Wnt3a protein, play important regulatory roles in the expression of hoxB4 in hematopoietic stem cells. In this review the structure and biological characteristics of hoxB4, mechanisms involved in regulating expression of hoxB4 in the HSC are summarized.