DNA methylation protects hematopoietic stem cell multipotency from myeloerythroid restriction

Item Type:	Article
Title:	DNA methylation protects hematopoietic stem cell multipotency from myeloerythroid restriction
Creators Name:	Broeske, A.M. and Vockentanz, L. and Kharazi, S. and Huska, M.R. and Mancini, E. and Scheller, M. and Kuhl, C. and Enns, A. and Prinz, M. and Jaenisch, R. and Nerlov, C. and Leutz, A. and Andrade-Navarro, M.A. and Jacobsen, S.E. and Rosenbauer, F.
Abstract:	DNA methylation is a dynamic epigenetic mark that undergoes extensive changes during differentiation of self-renewing stem cells. However, whether these changes are the cause or consequence of stem cell fate remains unknown. Here, we show that alternative functional programs of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are governed by gradual differences in methylation levels. Constitutive methylation is essential for HSC self-renewal but dispensable for homing, cell cycle control and suppression of apoptosis. Notably, HSCs from mice with reduced DNA methyltransferase 1 activity cannot suppress key myeloerythroid regulators and thus can differentiate into myeloerythroid, but not lymphoid, progeny. A similar methylation dosage effect controls stem cell function in leukemia. These data identify DNA methylation as an essential epigenetic mechanism to protect stem cells from premature activation of predominant differentiation programs and suggest that methylation dynamics determine stem cell functions in tissue homeostasis and cancer.
Keywords:	Cell Differentiation, Cell Lineage, Cell Survival, DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase, DNA Methylation, Genetic Epigenesis, Erythroid Cells, Gene Expression Regulation, Hematopoiesis, Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Homeostasis, Leukemia, Multipotent Stem Cells, Neoplastic Stem Cells, Animals, Mice
Source:	Nature Genetics
ISSN:	1061-4036
Publisher:	Nature Publishing Group
Volume:	41
Number:	11
Page Range:	1207-1215
Date:	November 2009
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1038/ng.463
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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