B6: Role of the H3K27 demethylase UTX in hematopoietic stem cell migration

Project leader: Dr. S. Brenner

Using a retroviral shRNA screening assay to identify genes involved in hematopoietic stem cell migration, the histone 3 lysine 27 demethylase UTX emerged as one of the most significant hits. We are generating a conditional knockout mouse for UTX to study the effect of UTX on hematopoiesis and cell migration in vivo. To identify target genes of UTX dependent histone modification in cell migration, we will compare data from ChIP-Chip and gene expression analyses. Our studies will provide first insights of UTX mediated epigenetic modification during hematopoietic cell migration and differentiation.