Transcription of the SCL gene in erythroid and CD34 positive primitive myeloid cells is controlled by a complex network of lineage-restricted chromatin-dependent and chromatin-independent regulatory elements

Abstract

The SCL gene (also known as TAL-1) encodes a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor that is essential for the development of all haematopoietic lineages, and ectopic expression of which results in T cell leukaemia. SCL is expressed in normal pluripotent haematopoietic stem cells and its expression is maintained during differentiation along erythroid, mast and megakaryocytic lineages, but is extinguished following commitment to other cell types. The mechanisms responsible for this pattern of expression are poorly understood, but are likely to illuminate the molecular basis for stem cell development and lineage commitment. We have identified multiple lineage-restricted DNase I hypersensit..