scholarly journals Serum factors can modulate the developmental clock of gamma- to beta-globin gene switching in somatic cell hybrids.

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4844-4851 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Zitnik ◽  
Q Li ◽  
G Stamatoyannopoulos ◽  
T Papayannopoulou

The fusion of human fetal erythroid (HFE) cells with mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) cells produces stable synkaryons (HFE x MEL) which can be monitored for extended periods of time in culture. Initially these hybrids express a human fetal globin program (gamma >> beta), but after weeks or months in culture, they switch to an adult pattern of globin expression (beta >> gamma). The rate at which hybrids switch to the adult phenotype is roughly dependent on the gestational age of the fetal erythroid cells used in the fusion, suggesting that the rate of switching in vitro may be determined by a developmental clock type of mechanism, possibly involving the cumulative number of divisions experienced by the human fetal cells. To investigate whether the number or rate of cell divisions postfusion can influence the rate of switching, we monitored the rate of switching in hybrids from independent fusions under growth-promoting (serum-replete) and growth-suppressing (serum-deprived) conditions. We found that hybrids grown under serum-deprived or serumless conditions switched more rapidly to adult globin expression than did their counterparts in serum-replete conditions. Neither the number of cumulative cell divisions nor time in culture per se predicted the rate of switching in vitro. Our data suggest that factors present in serum either retard switching of hybrids by their presence or promote switching by their absence, indicating that globin switching in vitro can be modulated by the environment; however, once switching in HFE x MEL hybrids is complete, serum factors cannot reverse this process.

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4844-4851
Author(s):  
G Zitnik ◽  
Q Li ◽  
G Stamatoyannopoulos ◽  
T Papayannopoulou

The fusion of human fetal erythroid (HFE) cells with mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) cells produces stable synkaryons (HFE x MEL) which can be monitored for extended periods of time in culture. Initially these hybrids express a human fetal globin program (gamma >> beta), but after weeks or months in culture, they switch to an adult pattern of globin expression (beta >> gamma). The rate at which hybrids switch to the adult phenotype is roughly dependent on the gestational age of the fetal erythroid cells used in the fusion, suggesting that the rate of switching in vitro may be determined by a developmental clock type of mechanism, possibly involving the cumulative number of divisions experienced by the human fetal cells. To investigate whether the number or rate of cell divisions postfusion can influence the rate of switching, we monitored the rate of switching in hybrids from independent fusions under growth-promoting (serum-replete) and growth-suppressing (serum-deprived) conditions. We found that hybrids grown under serum-deprived or serumless conditions switched more rapidly to adult globin expression than did their counterparts in serum-replete conditions. Neither the number of cumulative cell divisions nor time in culture per se predicted the rate of switching in vitro. Our data suggest that factors present in serum either retard switching of hybrids by their presence or promote switching by their absence, indicating that globin switching in vitro can be modulated by the environment; however, once switching in HFE x MEL hybrids is complete, serum factors cannot reverse this process.


Blood ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 766-770
Author(s):  
PT Curtin ◽  
YW Kan

We have previously described an English family with gamma delta beta- thalassemia in which a large deletion stops 25 kilobases (kb) upstream from the beta-globin gene locus, and yet the beta-globin gene is inactive in vivo. Affected family members had a beta-thalassemia minor phenotype with a normal hemoglobin A2 level. Gene mapping showed that these subjects were heterozygous for a chromosome bearing a large deletion that began in the G gamma-globin gene, extended through the epsilon-globin gene, and continued upstream for at least 75 kb. The A gamma-, delta-, and beta-globin gene loci on this chromosome were intact. To examine the possibility that an additional defect was present in the beta-globin gene, we cloned, sequenced, and examined the expression of the beta-globin gene from the affected chromosome. No mutation was found in the beta-globin gene sequence from 990 base-pairs 5′ to the cap site to 350 basepairs 3′ to the polyadenylation signal. The gene was subcloned into an expression vector and introduced into HeLa cells. Analysis of RNA derived from these cells, using a ribonuclease protection assay, revealed qualitatively and quantitatively normal transcription. Thus a structurally and functionally normal beta-globin gene is inactive in the presence of a large deletion more than 25 kb upstream. The loss of beta-globin gene function may be due to disturbance of chromatin conformation caused by the deletion or may be the result of loss of upstream sequences that are necessary for beta-globin gene expression in vivo.


Blood ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 2781-2790
Author(s):  
DE Fleenor ◽  
RE Kaufman

The members of the human beta globin gene family are flanked by strong DNase I hypersensitive sites. The collection of sites 5' to the epsilon globin gene is able to confer high levels of expression of linked globin genes, but a function has not been assigned to the site 3' to the beta globin gene (3'HS1). Our analysis of this DNase I super hypersensitive site shows that the region is composed of multiple DNase I sites. By examination of the DNA sequence, we have determined that the region is very A/T-rich and contains topoisomerase II recognition sequences, as well as several consensus binding motifs for GATA-1 and AP-1/NF-E2. Gel mobility shift assays indicate that the region can interact in vitro with GATA-1 and AP-1/NF-E2, and functional studies show that the region serves as a scaffold attachment region in both erythroid and nonerythroid cell lines. Whereas many of the physical features of 3'HS1 are shared by 5'HS2 (a component of the 5' locus control region), transient expression studies show that 3' HS1 does not share the erythroid-specific enhancer activity exhibited by 5'HS2.


1995 ◽  
Vol 9 (24) ◽  
pp. 3083-3096 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Bungert ◽  
U Dave ◽  
K C Lim ◽  
K H Lieuw ◽  
J A Shavit ◽  
...  

Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 822-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Dimovski ◽  
V Divoky ◽  
AD Adekile ◽  
E Baysal ◽  
JB Wilson ◽  
...  

Abstract A novel deletion of approximately 27 kb with the 5′ breakpoint 1.5 to 2.2 kb upstream of the beta-globin gene, and the 3′ breakpoint approximately 24 kb downstream of the beta-globin gene, has been found in five members of two families from Southeast Asia (Vietnam and Cambodia). Six members of another family from China, previously reported from our laboratory, have also been shown to carry this deletion. The patients presented with mild hypochromia and microcytosis, a hemoglobin (Hb) A2 level of approximately 4.0%, and a markedly increased, heterocellularly distributed, Hb F level (14.0 to 26.0%). In vitro globin-chain synthesis showed a mild imbalance with appreciable gamma-chain compensation (alpha/beta + gamma ratio of 1.46). The 3′ end of this deletion includes the 3′HS-1, and we hypothesize that removal of this region results in the loss of its gamma-globin gene-silencing effect, which causes a markedly elevated Hb F level with a modest increase in Hb A2 levels, unlike the situation in other deletional beta zero-thalassemias. The possible influence of particular sequence variations in the locus control region 5′HS-2 and the G gamma promoter, present on the chromosome with this deletion, on the overall gamma-globin gene should also be considered.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 2067-2067
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Woo ◽  
Jonghwan Kim ◽  
Jian Xu ◽  
Hui Huang ◽  
Alan Cantor

Abstract Abstract 2067 The molecular mechanisms underlying developmental globin gene regulation remain incompletely understood. Prior studies have identified key cis-regulatory elements within the beta globin locus that contain core regions of closely spaced functional binding sites for GATA, NF-E2p45/maf and GT/GC box binding transcription factors. We recently identified the GT/GC-box binding transcription factor ZBP-89 as a novel GATA-1 interacting partner, and showed that it is involved in erythroid development in mice (Woo et al. 2008. Mol. Cell Bio. 28:2675-2689). Brand et al. independently isolated ZBP-89 in NF-E2p45/mafk complexes from induced mouse erythroid leukemia (MEL) cells (Brand et al. 2004. Nat. Struct. Mol Biol. 11:73-80). In the current study, we show that ZBP-89 protein levels increase during in vitro erythroid differentiation of human bone marrow derived CD34+ cells. This correlates with the onset of alpha and beta globin gene transcription. ChIP-chip studies using ENCODE v2.0 arrays demonstrate that ZBP-89 occupies key cis-regulatory elements within both the beta globin (locus control regions HS3, HS2; delta and beta proximal promoters; and an intergenic region between gamma1 and delta globin) and alpha globin (HS-48, HS-40, HS-10 and alpha globin proximal promoters) loci in primary human erythroid precursors. Comparative analysis across the entire ENCODE array reveals a strong positive correlation between ZBP-89 occupancy, RNA polymerase II occupancy, and the activating histone marks acetylated histone 3 (AcH3) and trimethylated histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3); and a negative correlation with the repressive mark trimethylated histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3). Motif analysis under the ZBP-89 occupancy peaks indicates a preference for GGGG(G/A)NGGGG in vivo binding sites. Lentiviral shRNA mediated knock down of ZBP-89 in the in vitro differentiated CD34+ cells results in 30–50% reduction of alpha-, gamma-, and beta-globin gene expression, as well as modestly decreased expression of a number of additional erythroid-specific genes. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate physical association between ZBP-89 and the GCN5/Trapp histone acetyltransferase complex. Based on these findings, we propose that ZBP-89 participates with GATA-1 and NF-E2 in the final epigenetic changes required for high-level expression of globin and other erythroid genes in terminally differentiating human erythroid cells. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


1985 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 1498-1511 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Charnay ◽  
P Mellon ◽  
T Maniatis

We analyzed the sequences required for transcription of the mouse beta-major-globin gene by introducing deletion and linker scanning mutations into the 5'-flanking region and then studying the effects of these mutations on beta-globin gene transcription in a HeLa cell transient expression assay or after stable introduction into mouse erythroleukemia cells. Consistent with earlier studies, we found that three distinct regions upstream from the RNA capping site are required for efficient beta-globin gene transcription in HeLa cells: the ATA box located 30 base pairs upstream from the mRNA capping site (-30), the CCAAT box located at -75, and the distal sequence element CCACACCC located at -90. In the ATA and CAAT box regions, the sequences necessary for efficient transcription extend beyond the limits of the canonical sequences. Mutations in the sequences located between the three transcriptional control elements do not significantly affect transcription in HeLa cells. Although the promoter defined in HeLa cell transfection experiments is also required for efficient transcription in mouse erythroleukemia cells, none of the mutations tested affects the regulation of beta-globin gene transcription during mouse erythroleukemia cell differentiation. Thus, DNA sequences downstream from the mRNA cap site appear to be sufficient for the regulation of beta-globin gene expression during the differentiation of mouse erythroleukemia cells in culture.


1988 ◽  
Vol 85 (13) ◽  
pp. 4638-4642 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Yisraeli ◽  
D. Frank ◽  
A. Razin ◽  
H. Cedar

Blood ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 1470-1474 ◽  
Author(s):  
GF Atweh ◽  
XX Zhu ◽  
HE Brickner ◽  
CH Dowling ◽  
HH Jr Kazazian ◽  
...  

A new type of delta beta-thalassemia characterized by decreased expression of the beta-globin gene and increased expression of both G gamma and A gamma globin gene in the absence of a detectable deletion has recently been described in the Chinese population. In this study we characterize the mutant beta-globin gene from this delta beta- thalassemia chromosome. An A to G transversion is identified in the “ATA” sequence of the promoter region that leads to decreased expression of the beta-globin gene in vivo and in vitro. We also demonstrate the presence of this mutation in every individual with a high fetal hemoglobin phenotype in this family and its absence in every individual with a normal hemoglobin phenotype. This same promoter mutation has recently been detected in Chinese beta-thalassemia genes where it is present on chromosomes of the same haplotype as that of the delta beta-thalassemia chromosome we are studying. These data support the hypothesis that an as yet unidentified mutation occurred on the ancestral chromosome carrying the promoter mutation and subsequently gave rise to the delta beta-thalassemia phenotype.


1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1561-1567 ◽  
Author(s):  
J A Lloyd ◽  
J M Krakowsky ◽  
S C Crable ◽  
J B Lingrel

The developmental regulation of the human globin genes involves a key switch from fetal (gamma-) to adult (beta-) globin gene expression. It is possible to study the mechanism of this switch by expressing the human globin genes in transgenic mice. Previous work has shown that high-level expression of the human globin genes in transgenic mice requires the presence of the locus control region (LCR) upstream of the genes in the beta-globin locus. High-level, correct developmental regulation of beta-globin gene expression in transgenic mice has previously been accomplished only in 30- to 40-kb genomic constructs containing the LCR and multiple genes from the locus. This suggests that either competition for LCR sequences by other globin genes or the presence of intergenic sequences from the beta-globin locus is required to silence the beta-globin gene in embryonic life. The results presented here clearly show that the presence of the gamma-globin gene (3.3 kb) alone is sufficient to down-regulate the beta-globin gene in embryonic transgenic mice made with an LCR-gamma-beta-globin mini construct. The results also show that the gamma-globin gene is down-regulated in adult mice from most transgenic lines made with LCR-gamma-globin constructs not including the beta-globin gene, i.e., that the gamma-globin gene can be autonomously regulated. Evidence presented here suggests that a region 3' of the gamma-globin gene may be important for down-regulation in the adult. The 5'HS2 gamma en beta construct described is a suitable model for further study of the mechanism of human gamma- to beta-globin gene switching in transgenic mice.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document