Transcriptional regulation of blood formation during Xenopus development

Abstract

Hematopoiesis is the generation, proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) into the erythroid, myeloid and lymphoid lineages. The HSC is a ventral mesodermal derivative that arises due to inductive and patterning processes triggered by bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4). Recent studies in Xenopus laevis have identified families of transcription factors that participate in hematopoietic development. Transcription factor families, such as the SMADs, Mixs and Vents pattern mesoderm to a ventral fate which ultimately results in the expression of hematopoietic-specific transcription factors such as GATA-1 and SCL. This transcriptional regulatory network enforces the correct temporal and spatial expression of the blood program.