Pbx1 is a proto-oncogene that was originally discovered at the site of chromosomal translocations in pediatric acute leukemias. It codes for a homeodomain protein that binds DNA as a higher-order complex with a large subset of Hox proteins to modulate their DNA binding affinities and specificities. This project employs loss-of-function mouse models to investigate the contributions of Pbx1 and the related Pbx2 and Pbx3 genes to hematopoiesis and growth control. Ongoing studies show that Pbx1 is an essential gene whose absence results in embryonic lethality during late gestation due to severe anemia. Insufficient production of mature erythrocytes in Pbx1-/ embryos is the result of cell-autonomous defects in myeloerythroid progenitors. The most severely affected are common myeloid progenitors (CMP), which display reduced proliferation and decreased frequency in Pbx1-/- mice. The studies proposed in Specific Aim #1 investigate the role of Pbx1 in lymphopoiesis to determine whether similar defects are present in Pbx1/- common lymphoid progenitors (CLP) or their progeny. A more general role for Pbx1 in growth control is suggested by multiple organ hypoplasias in Pbx1/-embryos and the premature entry of Pbx1-/- MEFs into replicative senescence in vitro, an INK4a/ARF-mediated process. The studies in Specific Aim #2 will address the possibility that Pbx1 functions in part through modulation of INK4a/ARF expression to regulate growth potential in vitro and in vivo. Pbx2 nullizygous mice are viable and fertile but their bone marrow stem/progenitor cells display enhanced self-renewal in vitro. The studies in Specific Aim #3 will investigate the possible role for Pbx2 in restricting growth of stem cells, its implications for ex vivo stem cell expansion, and the consequences for adult bone marrow hematopoiesis. Pbx3, along with Pbx1, is expressed in fetal liver hematopoietic progenitors and Pbx3 nullizygous mice display neonatal lethality whose underlying pathogenesis has not yet been determined. The studies in Specific Aim #4 will investigate the role of Pbx3 in fetal liver hematopoiesis through analysis of Pbx3-/- mice and compound Pbx1/Pbx3 intercrossed mice. Together, the proposed studies will address the hypothesis that Pbx proteins regulate the timing and/or extent of progenitor cell proliferation versus differentiation and serve as the basis for understanding the role of mutant Pbx1 proteins in human leukemogenesis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA090735-03
Application #
6634009
Study Section
Pathology B Study Section (PTHB)
Program Officer
Mufson, R Allan
Project Start
2001-04-17
Project End
2006-03-31
Budget Start
2003-04-01
Budget End
2004-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$308,970
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009214214
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305
Ficara, Francesca; Crisafulli, Laura; Lin, Chenwei et al. (2013) Pbx1 restrains myeloid maturation while preserving lymphoid potential in hematopoietic progenitors. J Cell Sci 126:3181-91
Jackson, Ben; Brown, Stuart J; Avilion, Ariel A et al. (2011) TALE homeodomain proteins regulate site-specific terminal differentiation, LCE genes and epidermal barrier. J Cell Sci 124:1681-90
Murphy, Mark J; Polok, Bozena K; Schorderet, Daniel F et al. (2010) Essential role for Pbx1 in corneal morphogenesis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 51:795-803
Stankunas, Kryn; Shang, Ching; Twu, Karen Y et al. (2008) Pbx/Meis deficiencies demonstrate multigenetic origins of congenital heart disease. Circ Res 103:702-9
Chang, Ching-Pin; Stankunas, Kryn; Shang, Ching et al. (2008) Pbx1 functions in distinct regulatory networks to pattern the great arteries and cardiac outflow tract. Development 135:3577-86
Ficara, Francesca; Murphy, Mark J; Lin, Min et al. (2008) Pbx1 regulates self-renewal of long-term hematopoietic stem cells by maintaining their quiescence. Cell Stem Cell 2:484-96
Sanyal, Mrinmoy; Tung, James W; Karsunky, Holger et al. (2007) B-cell development fails in the absence of the Pbx1 proto-oncogene. Blood 109:4191-9
Brendolan, Andrea; Ferretti, Elisabetta; Salsi, Valentina et al. (2005) A Pbx1-dependent genetic and transcriptional network regulates spleen ontogeny. Development 132:3113-26
Selleri, Licia; DiMartino, Jorge; van Deursen, Jan et al. (2004) The TALE homeodomain protein Pbx2 is not essential for development and long-term survival. Mol Cell Biol 24:5324-31
Manley, Nancy R; Selleri, Licia; Brendolan, Andrea et al. (2004) Abnormalities of caudal pharyngeal pouch development in Pbx1 knockout mice mimic loss of Hox3 paralogs. Dev Biol 276:301-12

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