Editorial
Copyright ©2011 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Biol Chem. Jun 26, 2011; 2(6): 105-107
Published online Jun 26, 2011. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v2.i6.105
Ikaros in hematopoiesis and leukemia
Sinisa Dovat
Sinisa Dovat, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033-0850, United States
Author contributions: Dovat S contributed solely to the paper.
Supported by (in part) An R01 HL095120 grant, a St. Baldrick’s Foundation Career Development Award, the Four Diamonds Fund of the Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, and the John Wawrynovic Leukemia Research Scholar Endowment
Correspondence to: Sinisa Dovat, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Four Diamonds Endowed Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, H085, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, 500 University Drive, PO Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033-0850, United States. sdovat@hmc.psu.edu
Telephone: +1-717-5316012 Fax: +1-717-5314789
Received: March 22, 2011
Revised: June 10, 2011
Accepted: June 17, 2011
Published online: June 26, 2011
Abstract

Ikaros is a gene whose activity is essential for normal hematopoiesis. Ikaros acts as a master regulator of lymphoid and myeloid development as well as a tumor suppressor. In cells, Ikaros regulates gene expression via chromatin remodeling. During the past 15 years tremendous advances have been made in understanding the role of Ikaros in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis. In this Topic Highlights series of reviews, several groups of international experts in this field summarize the experimental data that is shaping the emerging picture of Ikaros function at the biochemical and cellular levels. The articles provide detailed analyses of recent scientific advancements and present models that will serve as a basis for future studies aimed at developing a better understanding of normal hematopoiesis and hematological malignancies and at accelerating the application of this knowledge in clinical practice.

Keywords: Ikaros, Hematopoiesis leukemia, Chromatin remodeling