Myeloid differentiation (MyD) primary response genes in hematopoiesis

Myeloid differentiation (MyD) primary response and growth arrest DNA-damage (Gadd) genes comprise a set of overlapping genes, including known (IRF-1, EGR-1, Jun) and novel (MyD88, Gadd45a MyD118/Gadd45b, GADD45g, MyD116/Gadd34) genes, that have been cloned by virtue of being coordinately induced upon the onset of terminal myeloid differentiation. This review delineates the role MyD genes were found to play in blood cell development, where they function as positive regulators of terminal differentiation, lineage specific blood cell development, and control of blood cell homeostasis, including growth inhibition and apoptosis.