scholarly journals Gamma rays and bleomycin nick DNA and reverse the DNase I sensitivity of beta-globin gene chromatin in vivo.

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1917-1924 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Villeponteau ◽  
H G Martinson
Keyword(s):  
Globin Gene ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Globin Genes ◽  
Torsional Stress ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Cell Penetration ◽  
Dnase I Sensitivity ◽  
Chicken Erythrocytes ◽  
Active Genes

The active beta-globin genes in chicken erythrocytes, like all active genes, reside in large chromatin domains which are preferentially sensitive to digestion by DNase I. We have recently proposed that the special structure of chromatin in active domains is maintained by torsional stress in the DNA (Villeponteau et al., Cell 39:469-478, 1984). This hypothesis predicts that nicking of the DNA within any such chromosomal domain in vivo will relax the DNA and lead to loss of the special DNase I-sensitive state. Here we have tested this prediction by using gamma irradiation and bleomycin treatment to cleave DNA within intact chicken embryo erythrocytes. Both treatments cause reversal of DNase I sensitivity. Moreover, reversal occurs at approximately one nick per 150 kilobase pairs for both agents despite their entirely unrelated modes of cell penetration and DNA attack. These results suggest that the domain of DNase I sensitivity surrounding the beta-globin genes comprises 150 kilobase pairs of chromatin under torsional stress and that a single DNA nick in this region is sufficient to reverse the DNase I sensitivity throughout the entire domain.

Gamma rays and bleomycin nick DNA and reverse the DNase I sensitivity of beta-globin gene chromatin in vivo

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1917-1924
Author(s):  
B Villeponteau ◽  
H G Martinson
Keyword(s):  
Globin Gene ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Globin Genes ◽  
Torsional Stress ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Cell Penetration ◽  
Dnase I Sensitivity ◽  
Chicken Erythrocytes ◽  
Active Genes

The active beta-globin genes in chicken erythrocytes, like all active genes, reside in large chromatin domains which are preferentially sensitive to digestion by DNase I. We have recently proposed that the special structure of chromatin in active domains is maintained by torsional stress in the DNA (Villeponteau et al., Cell 39:469-478, 1984). This hypothesis predicts that nicking of the DNA within any such chromosomal domain in vivo will relax the DNA and lead to loss of the special DNase I-sensitive state. Here we have tested this prediction by using gamma irradiation and bleomycin treatment to cleave DNA within intact chicken embryo erythrocytes. Both treatments cause reversal of DNase I sensitivity. Moreover, reversal occurs at approximately one nick per 150 kilobase pairs for both agents despite their entirely unrelated modes of cell penetration and DNA attack. These results suggest that the domain of DNase I sensitivity surrounding the beta-globin genes comprises 150 kilobase pairs of chromatin under torsional stress and that a single DNA nick in this region is sufficient to reverse the DNase I sensitivity throughout the entire domain.

scholarly journals Characterization of the DNase I hypersensitive site 3' of the human beta globin gene domain

Blood ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 2781-2790
Author(s):  
DE Fleenor ◽  
RE Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Globin Genes ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Hypersensitive Site ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Enhancer Activity ◽  
Beta Globin Gene

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.

scholarly journals Essential role of NF-E2 in remodeling of chromatin structure and transcriptional activation of the epsilon-globin gene in vivo by 5' hypersensitive site 2 of the beta-globin locus control region.

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 6055-6064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q H Gong ◽  
J C McDowell ◽  
A Dean
Keyword(s):  
Control Region ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Locus Control Region ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Hypersensitive Site

Much of our understanding of the process by which enhancers activate transcription has been gained from transient-transfection studies in which the DNA is not assembled with histones and other chromatin proteins as it is in the cell nucleus. To study the activation of a mammalian gene in a natural chromatin context in vivo, we constructed a minichromosome containing the human epsilon-globin gene and portions of the beta-globin locus control region (LCR). The minichromosomes replicate and are maintained at stable copy number in human erythroid cells. Expression of the minichromosomal epsilon-globin gene requires the presence of beta-globin LCR elements in cis, as is the case for the chromosomal gene. We determined the chromatin structure of the epsilon-globin gene in both the active and inactive states. The transcriptionally inactive locus is covered by an array of positioned nucleosomes extending over 1,400 bp. In minichromosomes with a (mu)LCR or DNase I-hypersensitive site 2 (HS2) which actively transcribe the epsilon-globin gene, the nucleosome at the promoter is altered or disrupted while positioning of nucleosomes in the rest of the locus is retained. All or virtually all minichromosomes are simultaneously hypersensitive to DNase I both at the promoter and at HS2. Transcriptional activation and promoter remodeling, as well as formation of the HS2 structure itself, depended on the presence of the NF-E2 binding motif in HS2. The nucleosome at the promoter which is altered upon activation is positioned over the transcriptional elements of the epsilon-globin gene, i.e., the TATA, CCAAT, and CACCC elements, and the GATA-1 site at -165. The simple availability of erythroid transcription factors that recognize these motifs is insufficient to allow expression. As in the chromosomal globin locus, regulation also occurs at the level of chromatin structure. These observations are consistent with the idea that one role of the beta-globin LCR is to maintain promoters free of nucleosomes. The restricted structural change observed upon transcriptional activation may indicate that the LCR need only make a specific contact with the proximal gene promoter to activate transcription.

scholarly journals Characterization of the DNase I hypersensitive site 3' of the human beta globin gene domain

Blood ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 2781-2790 ◽  
Author(s):  
DE Fleenor ◽  
RE Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Globin Genes ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Hypersensitive Site ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Enhancer Activity ◽  
Beta Globin Gene

Abstract 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.

scholarly journals Active beta-globin gene transcription occurs in methylated, DNase I-resistant chromatin of nonerythroid chicken cells.

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Lois ◽  
L Freeman ◽  
B Villeponteau ◽  
H G Martinson
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transcription ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Housekeeping Gene ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Beta Globin Gene ◽  
Dnase I Sensitivity ◽  
Gene Transcripts ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Termination Process

We report active, inappropriate transcription of the chicken beta A-globin gene in normal fibroblasts, cultured MSB cells, and brain. We were unable to detect ovalbumin gene transcription in these same tissues. Most of the globin gene transcripts were found to be truncated near the beginning of the gene, suggesting the existence of a premature termination process that is preferentially active under conditions of inappropriate transcription. The inappropriately transcribed beta A-globin gene chromatin remained DNase I resistant and highly methylated. Thus, the DNase I-sensitive conformation of erythrocyte beta A chromatin was correlated not with beta A transcription per se but with beta A expression. Although both transcribed and nontranscribed genes within the globin domain exhibited the same DNase I sensitivity in erythrocyte nuclei, a housekeeping gene active in erythrocytes exhibited a different level of DNase I sensitivity. However, this gene exhibited the same level of DNase I sensitivity in both erythrocytes and a cultured cell line. These observations are consistent with the proposal (G. Blobel, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:8527-8529, 1985) that the DNase I sensitivity of a gene may reflect properties of chromatin related to cotranscriptional and posttranscriptional aspects of mRNA production rather than to transcription per se.

Active beta-globin gene transcription occurs in methylated, DNase I-resistant chromatin of nonerythroid chicken cells

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-27
Author(s):  
R Lois ◽  
L Freeman ◽  
B Villeponteau ◽  
H G Martinson
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transcription ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Housekeeping Gene ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Beta Globin Gene ◽  
Dnase I Sensitivity ◽  
Gene Transcripts ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Termination Process

We report active, inappropriate transcription of the chicken beta A-globin gene in normal fibroblasts, cultured MSB cells, and brain. We were unable to detect ovalbumin gene transcription in these same tissues. Most of the globin gene transcripts were found to be truncated near the beginning of the gene, suggesting the existence of a premature termination process that is preferentially active under conditions of inappropriate transcription. The inappropriately transcribed beta A-globin gene chromatin remained DNase I resistant and highly methylated. Thus, the DNase I-sensitive conformation of erythrocyte beta A chromatin was correlated not with beta A transcription per se but with beta A expression. Although both transcribed and nontranscribed genes within the globin domain exhibited the same DNase I sensitivity in erythrocyte nuclei, a housekeeping gene active in erythrocytes exhibited a different level of DNase I sensitivity. However, this gene exhibited the same level of DNase I sensitivity in both erythrocytes and a cultured cell line. These observations are consistent with the proposal (G. Blobel, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:8527-8529, 1985) that the DNase I sensitivity of a gene may reflect properties of chromatin related to cotranscriptional and posttranscriptional aspects of mRNA production rather than to transcription per se.

scholarly journals A deletion/inversion rearrangement of the beta-globin gene cluster in a Turkish family with delta beta zero-thalassemia intermedia

Blood ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 79 (9) ◽  
pp. 2455-2459
Author(s):  
AE Kulozik ◽  
A Bellan-Koch ◽  
E Kohne ◽  
E Kleihauer
Keyword(s):  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Gene Promoters ◽  
Globin Genes ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Beta Globin Gene ◽  
Gamma Globin ◽  
Globin Gene Cluster

The most common forms of hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin synthesis (HPFH) and delta beta zero-thalassemia result from simple deletions of the beta-globin gene cluster or from point mutations in the gamma-globin gene promoters. These naturally occurring mutants extend our understanding of globin gene regulation and hemoglobin switching. Furthermore, they provide the opportunity to test in vivo hypothetical switching models that are based on the experimental approach. We report here a family with delta beta zero-thalassemia from Turkey with a complex rearrangement of the beta-globin gene cluster that involves two deletions of 11.5 kb and 1.6 kb, and an inversion of 7.6 kb. The larger deletion removes both the delta-and the beta-globin genes with 3′ flanking sequences, whereas the smaller deletion affects DNA of unknown function. The inversion contains the entire L1 repeat 3′ of the beta-globin gene. There are structural motifs near the breakpoints (introduction of an “orphan” nucleotide, multiple direct and inverted repeats) suggesting a nonhomologous type of recombination event. The hematologic phenotype and the molecular structure of the rearranged beta-globin gene cluster are consistent with a competitive relationship between the fetal and the adult globin genes and/or with the translocation of enhancer sequences into the gamma-globin gene region.

scholarly journals Identification and characterization of a chicken alpha-globin enhancer.

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 893-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
J A Knezetic ◽  
G Felsenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Globin Gene ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Specific Factor ◽  
Gene Promoters ◽  
Globin Genes ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Enhancer Element ◽  
Alpha Globin

We identify and describe the properties of an enhancer within the chicken alpha-globin gene cluster. This cluster consists of one gene (pi) expressed only in primitive erythrocytes and two (alpha A and alpha D) expressed in both primitive and definitive cell lineages. The genes are linked together in the order 5'-pi-alpha D-alpha A-3' and occupy a region about 10 kilobase pairs long. The enhancer is located at the 3' end of the cluster, about 750 base pairs 3' to the alpha A translation stop site. When assayed by transfection into either primitive or definitive primary chicken erythrocytes, this element stimulated expression from plasmids containing the alpha D- or alpha A-globulin gene promoters. Except for sites in the alpha-globin promoters, no other stimulatory activity was observed in DNA taken from other regions of the alpha-globin locus. Moderate resolution DNase I hypersensitivity studies as well as DNase I footprinting revealed three regions of protein binding, each containing a similar core DNA sequence within the enhancer element. Gel mobility shift studies demonstrated that all three regions bind the recently identified erythrocyte-specific factor, EryfI, which has binding sites in the regulatory regions of all chicken globin genes. Our data suggest that the enhancer we have identified may act in vivo only on the alpha A gene; expression of the alpha D gene is affected by another EryfI site located in the alpha D promoter. Such a mechanism would be consistent with the observed relative abundances of alpha A- and alpha D-globin in vivo. The simplicity of these regulatory elements may reflect the limited repertoire of expression of these genes during development.

Identification and characterization of a chicken alpha-globin enhancer

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 893-901
Author(s):  
J A Knezetic ◽  
G Felsenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Globin Gene ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Specific Factor ◽  
Gene Promoters ◽  
Globin Genes ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Enhancer Element ◽  
Alpha Globin

We identify and describe the properties of an enhancer within the chicken alpha-globin gene cluster. This cluster consists of one gene (pi) expressed only in primitive erythrocytes and two (alpha A and alpha D) expressed in both primitive and definitive cell lineages. The genes are linked together in the order 5'-pi-alpha D-alpha A-3' and occupy a region about 10 kilobase pairs long. The enhancer is located at the 3' end of the cluster, about 750 base pairs 3' to the alpha A translation stop site. When assayed by transfection into either primitive or definitive primary chicken erythrocytes, this element stimulated expression from plasmids containing the alpha D- or alpha A-globulin gene promoters. Except for sites in the alpha-globin promoters, no other stimulatory activity was observed in DNA taken from other regions of the alpha-globin locus. Moderate resolution DNase I hypersensitivity studies as well as DNase I footprinting revealed three regions of protein binding, each containing a similar core DNA sequence within the enhancer element. Gel mobility shift studies demonstrated that all three regions bind the recently identified erythrocyte-specific factor, EryfI, which has binding sites in the regulatory regions of all chicken globin genes. Our data suggest that the enhancer we have identified may act in vivo only on the alpha A gene; expression of the alpha D gene is affected by another EryfI site located in the alpha D promoter. Such a mechanism would be consistent with the observed relative abundances of alpha A- and alpha D-globin in vivo. The simplicity of these regulatory elements may reflect the limited repertoire of expression of these genes during development.

Differences in DNase I sensitivity and methylation within the human beta-globin gene domain and correlation with expression

1986 ◽  
Vol 156 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calliope ARAPINIS ◽  
Jacques ELION ◽  
Dominique LABIE ◽  
Rajagopal KRISHNAMOORTHY
Keyword(s):  
Globin Gene ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Beta Globin Gene ◽  
Dnase I Sensitivity ◽  
Globin Gene Domain
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