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    Science. 2008 Dec 19;322(5909):1839-42. Epub 2008 Dec 4.

    Human fetal hemoglobin expression is regulated by the developmental stage-specific repressor BCL11A.

    Sankaran VG, Menne TF, Xu J, Akie TE, Lettre G, Van Handel B, Mikkola HK, Hirschhorn JN, Cantor AB, Orkin SH.

    Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

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    Differences in the amount of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) that persists into adulthood affect the severity of sickle cell disease and the beta-thalassemia syndromes. Genetic association studies have identified sequence variants in the gene BCL11A that influence HbF levels. Here, we examine BCL11A as a potential regulator of HbF expression. The high-HbF BCL11A genotype is associated with reduced BCL11A expression. Moreover, abundant expression of full-length forms of BCL11A is developmentally restricted to adult erythroid cells. Down-regulation of BCL11A expression in primary adult erythroid cells leads to robust HbF expression. Consistent with a direct role of BCL11A in globin gene regulation, we find that BCL11A occupies several discrete sites in the beta-globin gene cluster. BCL11A emerges as a therapeutic target for reactivation of HbF in beta-hemoglobin disorders.

    PMID: 19056937 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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