A review of the role of zinc finger proteins on hematopoiesis

Abstract

The bone marrow is responsible for producing an incredible number of cells daily in order to maintain blood homeostasis through a process called hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis is a greatly demanding process and one entirely dependent on complex interactions between the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and its surrounding microenvironment. Zinc (Zn²⁺) is considered an important trace element, playing diverse roles in different tissues and cell types, and zinc finger proteins (ZNF) are proteins that use Zn²⁺ as a structural cofactor. In this way, the ZNF structure is supported by a Zn²⁺ that coordinates many possible combinations of cysteine and histidine, with the most common ZNF being of the Cys₂His₂ (C2H2) type, which forms a family of transcriptional activators that play an important role in different cellular processes such as development, differentiation, and suppression, all of these being essential processes for an adequate hematopoiesis. This review aims to shed light on the relationship between ZNF and the regulation of the hematopoietic tissue. We include works with different designs, including both in vitro and in vivo studies, detailing how ZNF might regulate hematopoiesis.

Keywords: Hematopoiesis; Micronutrients; Zinc finger proteins.