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Hematopoietic development of vav-/- mouse embryonic stem cells
Summary
The vav protooncogene is important in blood cell development. Studies show that mice can develop blood cells, including red and myeloid cells, even without vav expression.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The vav protooncogene product is primarily found in hematopoietic lineages.
- It possesses structural motifs characteristic of signaling pathway proteins, including SH2/SH3 domains and a dbl-oncogene homology region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if vav expression is essential for hematopoiesis.
- To investigate the effects of vav gene loss on erythroid and myeloid development.
Main Methods:
- Gene targeting was used to create vav-negative mouse embryonic stem cells.
- Hematopoietic development was examined in vitro and in vivo in the absence of vav.
Main Results:
- Erythroid and myeloid development occurred successfully in vav-negative mouse embryonic stem cells.
- These findings contradict previous studies using antisense vav RNA.
Conclusions:
- Vav expression is not absolutely required for hematopoietic development.
- Hematopoiesis can proceed effectively without the vav protooncogene product.