Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-2025
Publication Title
Journal of Cell Science
Disciplines
Biology
Abstract
Kru ppel-like factor 1 [KLF1; also known as erythroid Kru ppel-like factor (EKLF)] is a C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor that plays a crucial role in all aspects of erythropoiesis. Mutations in KLF1 lead to diverse phenotypes ranging from mild to severe anemias. Individuals with a (CDA) type IV] exhibit impaired erythroid terminal differentiation and increased presence of binucleate erythroblasts. We have previously shown that KLF1 is necessary for cell cycle exit and enucleation in mouse primary cells. In the present study, we discovered that genes involved in cell motility, cell division and mitotic pathways are all directly regulated by KLF1. Klf1-/- cells exhibit increased numbers of binucleated erythroblasts and DNA bridges, and differentiating Klf1-/- erythroblasts display an increased percentage of cytokinesis failure events and defective microtubule bundling. Klf1-/- erythroblasts produce frequent aberrant F-actin-rich membrane protrusions and anucleate cell fragments. Human CDA type IV cells exhibit similar patterns of dysregulation of cytokinesis and cell motility genes. Collectively, we show that KLF1 is necessary for maintaining the integrity of erythroid cell divisions by direct regulation of genes involved in cytokinesis and motility pathways during terminal erythroid differentiation.
DOI
10.1242/jcs.264036
Version
Publisher's PDF
Recommended Citation
Gnanapragasam, Merlin N.; Jiiang, Peng; Dhara, Anita R.; Patel, Parina N.; Ramamoorthy, Mahesh; Nowak, Roberta B.; Fowler, Velia M.; and Bieker, James J., "KLF1 Coordinates Specialized Transcriptional Networks Required to Maintain the Integrity of Terminal Erythropoiesis" (2025). Biological, Geological, and Environmental Faculty Publications. 293.
https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/scibges_facpub/293
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Volume
138
Issue
21
Comments
This work was supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants K01-DK115686 and Cooley's Anemia Foundation Research Fellowship to M.N.G., R01-DK046865 and R01-DK121671 to J.J.B., and R01-HL083464 to V.M.F. Open Access funding provided by Mount Sinai School of Medicine.