The novel GATA1-interacting protein HES6 is an essential transcriptional cofactor for human erythropoiesis

Normal erythropoiesis requires the precise regulation of gene expression patterns, and transcription cofactors play a vital role in this process. Deregulation of cofactors has emerged as a key mechanism contributing to erythroid disorders. Through gene expression profiling, we found HES6 as an abundant cofactor expressed at gene level during human erythropoiesis. HES6 physically interacted with GATA1 and influenced the interaction of GATA1 with FOG1. Knockdown of HES6 impaired human erythropoiesis by decreasing GATA1 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA sequencing revealed a rich set of HES6- and GATA1-co-regulated genes involved in erythroid-related pathways. We also discovered a positive feedback loop composed of HES6, GATA1 and STAT1 in the regulation of erythropoiesis. Notably, erythropoietin (EPO) stimulation led to up-regulation of these loop components. Increased expression levels of loop components were observed in CD34(+) cells of polycythemia vera patients. Interference by either HES6 knockdown or inhibition of STAT1 activity suppressed proliferation of erythroid cells with the JAK2(V617F) mutation. We further explored the impact of HES6 on polycythemia vera phenotypes in mice. The identification of the HES6–GATA1 regulatory loop and its regulation by EPO provides novel insights into human erythropoiesis regulated by EPO/EPOR and a potential therapeutic target for the management of polycythemia vera.