U.S. Study: Blood Cells Need KLF2 Protein
Posted on: Monday, 3 October 2005, 18:00 CDT
Scientists in Richmond, Va., say they've demonstrated in mice the protein KLF2 is crucial for making young red blood cells.
The Virginia Commonwealth University researchers are studying hemoglobin genes, mutations of which play a role in genetic blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia and beta-thalassemia.
They say their findings may point other researchers to future gene therapies for patients with the two diseases.
Reporting in the October issue of the journal Blood, the researchers say they demonstrated KLF2 regulates production of embryonic globin genes and the maturation and stability of embryonic red blood cells in a mouse model. Researchers observed KLF2 is responsible for controlling and turning on the embryonic globin gene.
Understanding how genes are turned on and off, and the switch from the embryonic globin gene to the adult beta-globin gene has clinical relevance to treatment of sickle cell anemia and beta-thalassemia, said Joyce Lloyd, associate professor of Human Genetics at VCU, and the study's corresponding author.
Our findings are significant for future treatment of these blood disorders, potentially using gene therapies and other novel strategies, she said.
Source: United Press International
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