Deficiency of MIWI2 (Piwil4) Induces Mouse Erythroleukemia Cell Differentiation, but Has No Effect on Hematopoiesis In Vivo
JE Jacobs, M Wagner, J Dhahbi, D Boffelli, DIK Martin - PloS one, 2013 - journals.plos.org
JE Jacobs, M Wagner, J Dhahbi, D Boffelli, DIK Martin
PloS one, 2013•journals.plos.orgPiwi proteins and their small non-coding RNA partners are involved in the maintenance of
stem cell character and genome integrity in the male germ cells of mammals. MIWI2, one of
the mouse Piwi-like proteins, is expressed in the prepachytene phase of spermatogenesis
during the period of de novo methylation. Absence of this protein leads to meiotic defects
and a progressive loss of germ cells. There is an accumulation of evidence that Piwi proteins
may be active in hematopoietic tissues. Thus, MIWI2 may have a role in hematopoietic stem …
stem cell character and genome integrity in the male germ cells of mammals. MIWI2, one of
the mouse Piwi-like proteins, is expressed in the prepachytene phase of spermatogenesis
during the period of de novo methylation. Absence of this protein leads to meiotic defects
and a progressive loss of germ cells. There is an accumulation of evidence that Piwi proteins
may be active in hematopoietic tissues. Thus, MIWI2 may have a role in hematopoietic stem …
Piwi proteins and their small non-coding RNA partners are involved in the maintenance of stem cell character and genome integrity in the male germ cells of mammals. MIWI2, one of the mouse Piwi-like proteins, is expressed in the prepachytene phase of spermatogenesis during the period of de novo methylation. Absence of this protein leads to meiotic defects and a progressive loss of germ cells. There is an accumulation of evidence that Piwi proteins may be active in hematopoietic tissues. Thus, MIWI2 may have a role in hematopoietic stem and/or progenitor cell self-renewal and differentiation, and defects in MIWI2 may lead to abnormal hematopoiesis. MIWI2 mRNA can be detected in a mouse erythroblast cell line by RNA-seq, and shRNA-mediated knockdown of this mRNA causes the cells to take on characteristics of differentiated erythroid precursors. However, there are no detectable hematopoietic abnormalities in a MIWI2-deficient mouse model. While subtle, non-statistically significant changes were noted in the hematopoietic function of mice without a functional MIWI2 gene when compared to wild type mice, our results show that MIWI2 is not solely necessary for hematopoiesis within the normal life span of a mouse.
