Tet2 facilitates the derepression of myeloid target genes during CEBPα-induced transdifferentiation of pre-B cells

Mol Cell. 2012 Oct 26;48(2):266-76. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2012.08.007. Epub 2012 Sep 13.

Abstract

The methylcytosine hydroxylase Tet2 has been implicated in hematopoietic differentiation and the formation of myeloid malignancies when mutated. An ideal system to study the role of Tet2 in myelopoeisis is CEBPα-induced transdifferentiation of pre-B cells into macrophages. Here we found that CEBPα binds to upstream regions of Tet2 and that the gene becomes activated. Tet2 knockdowns impaired the upregulation of macrophage markers as well as phagocytic capacity, suggesting that the enzyme is required for both early and late stage myeloid differentiation. A slightly weaker effect was seen in primary cells with a Tet2 ablation. Expression arrays of transdifferentiating cells with Tet2 knockdowns permitted the identification of a small subset of myeloid genes whose upregulation was blunted. Activation of these target genes was accompanied by rapid increases of promoter hydroxy-methylation. Our observations indicate that Tet2 helps CEBPα rapidly derepress myeloid genes during the conversion of pre-B cells into macrophages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Azacitidine / pharmacology
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Transdifferentiation / drug effects
  • DNA-Binding Proteins* / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins* / metabolism
  • Dioxygenases
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Macrophages* / cytology
  • Macrophages* / metabolism
  • Myeloid Cells* / cytology
  • Myeloid Cells* / metabolism
  • Myelopoiesis
  • Precursor Cells, B-Lymphoid* / cytology
  • Precursor Cells, B-Lymphoid* / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins* / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins* / metabolism

Substances

  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins
  • CEBPA protein, human
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Dioxygenases
  • TET2 protein, human
  • Azacitidine

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE39666