| First Author | Mayer IM | Year | 2024 |
| Journal | Blood | Volume | 144 |
| Issue | 2 | Pages | 156-170 |
| PubMed ID | 38684032 | Mgi Jnum | J:357398 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:7710025 | Doi | 10.1182/blood.2023021985 |
| Citation | Mayer IM, et al. (2024) Kinase-inactivated CDK6 preserves the long-term functionality of adult hematopoietic stem cells. Blood 144(2):156-170 |
| abstractText | Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are characterized by the ability to self-renew and to replenish the hematopoietic system. The cell-cycle kinase cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) regulates transcription, whereby it has both kinase-dependent and kinase-independent functions. Herein, we describe the complex role of CDK6, balancing quiescence, proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation in activated HSCs. Mouse HSCs expressing kinase-inactivated CDK6 show enhanced long-term repopulation and homing, whereas HSCs lacking CDK6 have impaired functionality. The transcriptomes of basal and serially transplanted HSCs expressing kinase-inactivated CDK6 exhibit an expression pattern dominated by HSC quiescence and self-renewal, supporting a concept, in which myc-associated zinc finger protein (MAZ) and nuclear transcription factor Y subunit alpha (NFY-A) are critical CDK6 interactors. Pharmacologic kinase inhibition with a clinically used CDK4/6 inhibitor in murine and human HSCs validated our findings and resulted in increased repopulation capability and enhanced stemness. Our findings highlight a kinase-independent role of CDK6 in long-term HSC functionality. CDK6 kinase inhibition represents a possible strategy to improve HSC fitness. |
