Gene expression patterns define novel roles for E47 in cell cycle progression, cytokine-mediated signaling, and T lineage development

In maturing T lineage cells, the helix-loop-helix protein E47 has been shown to enforce a critical proliferation and developmental checkpoint commonly referred to as beta selection. To examine how E47 regulates cellular expansion and developmental progression, we have used an E2A-deficient lymphoma cell line and DNA microarray analysis to identify immediate E47 target genes. Hierarchical cluster analysis of gene expression patterns revealed that E47 coordinately regulates the expression of genes involved in cell survival, cell cycle progression, lipid metabolism, stress response, and lymphoid maturation. These include Plcgamma2, CDK6, CD25, Tox, Gadd45a, Gadd45b, Gfi1, Gfi1b, Socs1, Socs3, Id2, Eto2, and Xbp1. We propose a regulatory network linking Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-mediated signaling, E47, and suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins in a common pathway. Finally, we suggest that the aberrant activation of CDK6 in E47-deficient T lineage cells contributes to the development of lymphoid malignancy.