Objective: To set up a large scale sequencing system and explore the gene expression profiles of CD(34)(+) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs).
Methods: CD(34)(+) cells were isolated from umbilical cord blood and subjected to cDNA library construction. A primary profile of gene expression in HSPCs was emerged by EST sequencing and bioinformatics analyzing.
Results: Among 9,866 ESTs thus obtained, 7 476 meaningful ESTs were clustered into 2,060 unique sequence species (USSs), representing 1,054 known gene species and 1,006 unknown gene fragments. The 1054 known genes were divided into 8 categories: (1) hematopoiesis associated: 73, (2) chromatin structure and cell division/apoptosis: 91, (3) signal transduction and receptors: 111, (4) cell structure/mobility: 48, (5) cell/organism defense/homeostasis: 41; (6) Gene expression (transcription, translation and modification): 265, (7) metabolism: 192; and (8) unclassified: 233.
Conclusion: A gene expression profile including 1,054 known genes and 1006 new gene fragments of HSPCs was primarily obtained, which may lay a basis for the further study on the molecular mechanism of hematopoiesis regulation and provide candidates for new gene cloning.