PUBLICATION

Hey2 acts upstream of Notch in hematopoietic stem cell specification in zebrafish embryos

Authors
Rowlinson, J.M., and Gering, M.
ID
ZDB-PUB-100601-26
Date
2010
Source
Blood   116(12): 2046-2056 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Gering, Martin, Rowlinson, Jonathan
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Aorta
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/physiology*
  • Cell Lineage
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Embryonic Development
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells/cytology*
  • Receptors, Notch*
  • Transcription Factors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Zebrafish
  • Zebrafish Proteins/physiology*
PubMed
20511544 Full text @ Blood
Abstract
Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are essential for homeostasis and injury-induced regeneration of the vertebrate blood system. Although HSC transplantations constitute the most common type of stem cell therapy applied in the clinic we know relatively little about the molecular programming of HSCs during vertebrate embryogenesis. In vertebrate embryos, HSCs form in close association with the ventral wall of the dorsal aorta (DA). We have shown previously that in zebrafish HSC formation depends on the presence of a signalling cascade that involves Hedgehog, vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegf) and Notch signalling. Here, we reveal that Hey2, a hairy and enhancer-of-split related basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor often believed to act downstream of Notch, is also required for HSC formation. In DA progenitors, Hey2 expression is induced downstream of cloche and the transcription factor Scl/Tal1, and is maintained by Hedgehog and Vegf signalling. While knock-down of Hey2 expression results in a loss of Notch receptor expression in the DA angioblasts, activation of Notch signalling in hey2 morphants rescues HSC formation in zebrafish embryos. These results establish an essential role for Hey2 upstream of Notch in HSC formation.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping