Role of LRF/Pokemon in lineage fate decisions

In the human genome, 43 different genes are found that encode proteins belonging to the family of the POK (poxvirus and zinc finger and Kruppel)/ZBTB (zinc finger and broad complex, tramtrack, and brica brac) factors. Generally considered transcriptional repressors, several of these genes play fundamental roles in cell lineage fate decision in various tissues, programming specific tasks throughout the life of the organism. Here, we focus on functions of leukemia/lymphoma-related factor/POK erythroid myeloid ontogenic factor, which is probably one of the most exciting and yet enigmatic members of the POK/ZBTB family.