Recent progress in identifying genes regulating hematopoietic stem cell function and fate

Significant advances in the use of genetic and molecular biology strategies have recently begun to identify genes that have a major impact on the dete rmination, commitment and developmental potential of hematopoietic stem cel ls. Using a variety of experimental strategies, genes such as SCL, GATA-2, HoxB4, Flk-2, c-mpl, dlk, and others have been implicated as important regu lators of stem cell growth. In addition, genetic mapping has identified sev eral loci that correlate strongly with stem cell numbers and proliferation.