Effects of inhibitor of Src kinases, SU6656, on differentiation of megakaryocytic progenitors and activity of alpha1,6-fucosyltransferase

alpha1,6-fucosyltransferase (FUT8) attaches fucose residues via an alpha1,6 linkage to the innermost N-acetylglucosamine residue of N-linked glycans. Glycans with this type of structure are present in GpIIb/GpIIIa complex (CD41a) which is present on megakaryocytes (Mks) and platelets. CD41a is the earliest marker of megakaryocytopoiesis. The aim of this study was to analyse the morphology, phenotype, ploidy level and activity of FUT8 during induced differentiation/maturation of Mk progenitor cells in ex vivo culture. We used SU6656, a selective inhibitor of Src tyrosine kinases, as differentiation-inducing agent for Mks. The addition of SU6656 to the culture system of megakaryocytic progenitors from cord blood CD34(+) cells and Meg-01 cell line induced their maturation towards later stages of Mk differentiation with increased activity of FUT8. We suggest FUT8 as a candidate for an early marker of differentiation and possibly of the ploidy level of Mks. We confirm a special status of FUT8 in megakaryocytopoiesis.