Kruppel Like Factor 1, Erythroid (KLF1)

Erythroid Krüppel-like Factor (EKLF) is a transcription factor that is necessary for the proper maturation of erythroid (red blood) cells. The molecule has two domains; the transactivation domain and the chromatin-remodeling domain. The carboxyl (C) terminal is composed of three C2H2 zinc fingers that binds to DNA, and the amino (N) terminus is proline rich and acidic. The gene for EKLF is on the human chromosome 19 and on mouse chromosome 8.

EKLF deficient (knockout) mouse embryos exhibit a lethal anemic phenotype, fail to promote the transcription of adult β globin, and die by embryonic day 14. On the other hand, over-expression of EKLF results in a reduction of the number of circulating platelets and hastens the onset of β globin gene.