NF-E2, FLI1 and RUNX1 collaborate at areas of dynamic chromatin to activate transcription in mature mouse megakaryocytes.

Mutations in mouse and human Nfe2, Fli1 and Runx1 cause thrombocytopenia. We applied genome-wide chromatin dynamics and ChIP-seq to determine these transcription factors' (TFs) activities in terminal megakaryocyte (MK) maturation. Enhancers with H3K4me2-marked nucleosome pairs were most enriched for NF-E2, FLI and RUNX sequence motifs, suggesting that this TF triad controls much of the late MK program.

SOX15 governs transcription in human stratified epithelia and a subset of esophageal adenocarcinomas.

Background & Aims: Intestinal metaplasia (Barrett's esophagus, BE) is the principal risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Study of the basis for BE has centered on intestinal factors, but loss of esophageal identity likely also reflects absence of key squamous-cell factors. As few determinants of stratified epithelial cell-specific gene expression are characterized, it is important to identify the necessary transcription factors.

Differential WNT activity in colorectal cancer confers limited tumorigenic potential and is regulated by MAPK signaling.

Colorectal cancers (CRC) express the WNT effector protein β-catenin in a heterogeneous subcellular pattern rather than uniformly in the nucleus. In this study, we investigated this important aspect of molecular heterogeneity in CRCs by analyzing its basis and relationship with tumor-initiating capability. CRC cells with the highest WNT levels showed only a marginal increase in tumor initiation capacity.