miR-451 regulates zebrafish erythroid maturation in vivo via its target gata2

Pase, L; Layton, JE; Kloosterman, WP; Carradice, D; Waterhouse, PM; Lieschke, GJ

Author(s): Pase, L; Layton, JE; Kloosterman, WP; Carradice, D; Waterhouse, PM; Lieschke, GJ;
Details: Publication Year 2009-02-19,Volume 113,Issue #8,Page 1794-1804
Journal Title: BLOOD
Publication Type: Journal Article
Abstract: We demonstrate that in zebrafish, the microRNA miR-451 plays a crucial role in promoting erythroid maturation, in part via its target transcript gata2. Zebrafish miR-144 and miR-451 are processed from a single precursor transcript selectively expressed in erythrocytes. In contrast to other hematopoietic mutants, the zebrafish mutant meunier (mnr) showed intact erythroid specification but diminished miR-144/451 expression. Although erythropoiesis initiated normally in mnr, erythrocyte maturation was morphologically retarded. Morpholino knockdown of miR-451 increased erythrocyte immaturity in wild-type embryos, and miR-451 RNA duplexes partially rescued erythroid maturation in mnr, demonstrating a requirement and role for miR-451 in erythrocyte maturation. mnr provided a selectively miR-144/451-deficient background, facilitating studies to discern miRNA function and validate candidate targets. Among computer-predicted miR-451 targets potentially mediating these biologic effects, the pro-stem cell transcription factor gata2 was an attractive candidate. In vivo reporter assays validated the predicted miR-451/gata2-3'UTR interaction, gata2 down-regulation was delayed in miR-451-knockdown and mnr embryos, and gata2 knockdown partially restored erythroid maturation in mnr, collectively confirming gata2 down-regulation as pivotal for miR-451-driven erythroid maturation. These studies define a new genetic pathway promoting erythroid maturation (mnr/miR-451/gata2) and provide a rare example of partial rescue of a mutant phenotype solely by miRNA overexpression. (Blood. 2009; 113: 1794-1804)
Publisher: AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY
Keywords: HEMATOPOIETIC STEM-CELLS; MICRORNA EXPRESSION; TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS; TRANSGENIC ZEBRAFISH; ANIMAL DEVELOPMENT; ERYTHROPOIESIS; DIFFERENTIATION; PROGENITOR; CLOCHE; RNAS
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2008-05-155812
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Creation Date: 2009-02-19 12:00:00