[5] In 1990 an oncogene, v-mpl, was identified from the murine myeloproliferative leukemia virus that was capable of immortalizing bone marrow hematopoietic cells from different lineages.

Sequence data revealed that c-mpl encoded a protein that was homologous with members of the hematopoietic receptor superfamily.

TPO-R deficient mice were severely thrombocytopenic, emphasizing the important role of CD110 and thrombopoietin in megakaryocyte and platelet formation.

These mutations lead to the production of thrombopoietin receptors that are permanently activated, which results in the overproduction of abnormal megakaryocytes.

[11] This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.