Comparison of gene expression in erythroblasts with the In(Lu) phenotype with normal erythroblasts.

In order to elucidate the molecular mechanism giving rise to the rare In(Lu) type of Lu(a-b-) blood group phenotype we compared the transcriptome of normal and In(Lu) erythroblasts at different stages of maturation. Many erythroid-specific genes had reduced transcript levels suggesting the phenotype resulted from a transcription factor abnormality. A search for mutations in erythroid transcription factors revealed mutations in the promoter or coding sequence of EKLF in 21 of 24 individuals with the In(Lu) phenotype. In all cases the mutant EKLF allele occurred in the presence of a normal EKLF allele. Individuals with the In(Lu) phenotype have no reported pathology indicating that one functional EKLF allele is sufficient to sustain human erythropoiesis. These data provide the first description of inactivating mutations in human EKLF and the first demonstration of a blood group phenotype resulting from mutations in a transcription factor.

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Singleton BK, Burton NM, Green C, Brady RL, Anstee DJ