Disruption of the tumour-associated EMP3 enhances erythroid proliferation and causes the MAM-negative phenotype

The clinically important MAM blood group antigen is present on haematopoietic cells of all humans except rare MAM-negative individuals. Its molecular basis is unknown. By whole-exome sequencing we identify EMP3, encoding epithelial membrane protein 3 (EMP3), as a candidate gene, then demonstrate inactivating mutations in ten known MAM-negative individuals. We show that EMP3, a purported tumour suppressor in various solid tumours, is expressed in erythroid cells. Disruption of EMP3 by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in an immortalised human erythroid cell line (BEL-A2) abolishes MAM expression. We find EMP3 to associate with, and stabilise, CD44 in the plasma membrane. Furthermore, cultured erythroid progenitor cells from MAM-negative individuals show markedly increased proliferation and higher reticulocyte yields, suggesting an important regulatory role for EMP3 in erythropoiesis and control of cell production. Our data establish MAM as a new blood group system and demonstrate an interaction of EMP3 with the cell surface signalling molecule CD44.