Vertebrate hematopoiesis is regulated by distinct cell-specific transcription factors such as GATA-1 and SCL. Mammalian p45-NFE2 was characterized for its ability to bind the hypersensitive sites of the globin locus control region. NFE2 is a member of a cap'n'collar (CNC) and basic zipper (BZIP) superfamily that regulates gene transcription. It has been implicated in diverse processes such as g...

During erythroid differentiation, cooperative activities of erythroid transcription factors coordinate transcript levels of genes required for correct maturation. 1 These genes include the eight heme biosynthetic enzymes that are sequentially up-regulated to ensure augmented heme synthesis essential for the formation of hemoglobin. The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NFE2) play...

High-level -globin expression depends on cis-acting regulatory sequences located far upstream of the -globin cluster. Sequences that contain the -globin positive regulatory element (PRE) activate -globin expression in transgenic mice. The -globin PRE contains a pair of composite binding sites for the transcription factors activating protein 1 and nuclear factor erythroid 2 (AP1/NFE2). To determ...

The processes of megakaryocyte polyploidization and demarcation membrane system (DMS) formation are crucial for platelet production, but the mechanisms controlling these processes are not fully determined. Inhibition of Rho kinase (ROCK) signalling leads to increased polyploidization in umbilical cord blood-derived megakaryocytes. To extend these findings we determined the effect of ROCK inhibi...

Transcription factors in the CNC-bZIP family (NFE2, NRF1, NRF2 and NRF3) regulate genes with a wide range of functions in response to both physiological and exogenous signals, including those indicating changes in cellular redox status. Given their role in helping to maintain cellular homeostasis, it is imperative to understand the expression, regulation, and function of CNC-bZIP genes during e...

GSH synthesis occurs through a two-step enzymatic reaction driven by GCL (glutamate-cysteine ligase; made up of catalytic and modifying subunits) and GSS (glutathione synthetase). In humans, oxidative stress regulates GCL expression in an antioxidant response element-dependent manner via Nrf2 [NFE (nuclear factor erythroid)-related factor 2]. In the rat, GSS and GCL are regulated co-ordinately ...