The Socolovsky lab has identified an epigenetic switch that controls the transition from self-renewal to differentiation in erythroid progenitors. Interestingly, this cell fate decision is orchestrated by the cell cycle and is associated with an unusual process in which there is global loss of genomicDNA methylation, the first such instance to be identified in somatic cells.

• Pop et al (2010) A key commitment step in erythropoiesis is synchronized with the cell cycle clock through mutual inhibition between PU.1 and S-phase progression. PLoS Biol. 2010 Sep 21;8(9)
• Shearstone JR, Pop R, Bock C, Boyle P, Meissner A, Socolovsky M. Global DNA demethylation during mouse erythropoiesis in vivo. Science. 2011 Nov 11;334(6057):799-802.