A novel erythroid differentiation related gene EDRF2 inhib-ited ?-globin gene expression in K562 cells

AbstractSpecial AT-rich binding protein 1 (SATB1) nuclear protein, expressed predominantly in T cells, regulates genes through targeting chromatin remodeling during T-cell maturation. Here we show SATB1 family protein induction during early human adult erythroid progenitor cell differentiation concomitant with ϵ-globin expression. Erythroid differentiation of human erythroleukemia K562 cells by hemin simultaneously increases γ-globin and down-regulates SATB1 family protein and ϵ-globin gene expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation using anti-SATB1 anti-body shows selective binding in vivo in the β-globin cluster to the hypersensitive site 2 (HS2) in the locus control region (LCR) and to the ϵ-globin promoter. SATB1 overexpression increases ϵ-globin and decreases γ-globin gene expression accompanied by histone hyperacetylation and hypomethylation in chromatin from the ϵ-globin promoter and HS2, and histone hypoacetylation and hypermethylation associated with the γ-globin promoter. In K562 cells SATB1 family protein forms a complex with CREB-binding protein (CBP) important in transcriptional activation. In cotransfection experiments, increase in ϵ-promoter activity by SATB1 was amplified by CBP and blocked by E1A, a CBP inhibitor. Our results suggest that SATB1 can up-regulate the ϵ-globin gene by interaction with specific sites in the β-globin cluster and imply that SATB1 family protein expressed in the erythroid progenitor cells may have a role in globin gene expression during early erythroid differentiation. (Blood. 2005;105:3330-3339)

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Regulation of Globin Gene Expression and Erythroid Differentiation by Sp/KLF Factors.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v106.11.4241.4241 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 106 (11) ◽

pp. 4241-4241

Author(s):

Jie Hong ◽

George Stamatoyannopoulos ◽

Chao-Zhong Song

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Globin Gene ◽

Expression System ◽

K562 Cells ◽

Erythroid Differentiation ◽

Regulatory Elements ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Gene Promoters ◽

Gamma Globin ◽

Globin Gene Expression

Abstract Sp/Krüppel-like factor (KLF) family of proteins are characterized by the presence of three highly homologous Cys2His2 type zinc-fingers near the C-terminus that bind GC/CACCC boxes, which are one of the most common regulatory elements found in promoters of many cellular and viral genes. Currently, more than 20 members have been identified in the family. This family of factors plays important roles in cell growth, differentiation, development and homeostasis by regulating the expression of their target genes. The GC and GT/CACCC boxes in the globin gene promoters and the beta globin locus control region play an important role in the tissue- and developmental stage- specific expression of globin genes. We have carried out extensive studies to identify the KLF factors that regulate gamma globin expression and erythroid differentiation. Gene expression analysis revealed that most of the Sp/KLF factors are expressed, albeit at variable levels, in human fetal liver and adult blood cells. To determine the role of the Sp/KLF factors in gamma globin expression and erythroid differentiation, functional studies using systematic RNAi to knockdown selected Sp/KLF factors were performed. We used a lentiviral mediated siRNA expression system for specific silencing selected Sp/KLF factors. Effective knockdown of Sp/KLF factors was achieved as judged by a 70–90% decrease in their mRNA levels in the cells. Analyses of globin gene expression showed that the knockdown of some Sp/KLF factors resulted in changes in globin gene expression in K562 cells. We also observed that knockdown of specific Sp/KLF factors resulted in erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. These results suggest that specific Sp/KLF factors may play a role in regulation of globin gene expression and erythroid differentiation.

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Regulation of Fetal Globin Gene Expression in Human Erythroleukemia (K562) Cells

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology - Molecular Biology of Hemopoiesis ◽

10.1007/978-1-4684-5571-7_14 ◽

1988 ◽

pp. 117-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maryann Donovan-Peluso ◽

David O’Neill ◽

Santina Acuto ◽

Arthur Bank

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Globin Gene ◽

K562 Cells ◽

Globin Gene Expression

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Restoration of the CCAAT Box or Insertion of the CACCC Motif Activate δ-Globin Gene Expression

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v90.1.421 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 90 (1) ◽

pp. 421-427 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Delia C. Tang ◽

David Ebb ◽

Ross C. Hardison ◽

Griffin P. Rodgers

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Binding Site ◽

Globin Gene ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

K562 Cells ◽

Promoter Sequence ◽

Flanking Sequence ◽

Globin Promoter ◽

Ccaat Box ◽

Globin Gene Expression

Abstract Hemoglobin A2 (HbA2 ), which contains δ-globin as its non–α-globin, represents a minor fraction of the Hb found in normal adults. It has been shown recently that HbA2 is as potent as HbF in inhibiting intracellular deoxy-HbS polymerization, and its expression is therefore relevant to sickle cell disease treatment strategies. To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the low-level expression of the δ-globin gene in adult erythroid cells, we first compared promoter sequences and found that the δ-globin gene differs from the β-globin gene in the absence of an erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF ) binding site, the alteration of the CCAAT box to CCAAC, and the presence of a GATA-1 binding site. Second, serial deletions of the human δ-globin promoter sequence fused to a luciferase (LUC) reporter gene were transfected into K562 cells. We identified both positive and negative regulatory regions in the 5′ flanking sequence. Furthermore, a plasmid containing a single base pair (bp) mutation in the CCAAC box of the δ promoter, restoring the CCAAT box, caused a 5.6-fold and 2.4-fold (P < .05) increase of LUC activity in transfected K562 cells and MEL cells, respectively, in comparison to the wild-type δ promoter. A set of substitutions that create an EKLF binding site centered at −85 bp increased the expression by 26.8-fold and 6.5-fold (P < .05) in K562 and MEL cells, respectively. These results clearly demonstrate that the restoration of either an EKLF binding site or the CCAAT box can increase δ-globin gene expression, with potential future clinical benefit.

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Differing responses of globin and glycophorin gene expression to hemin in the human leukemia cell line K562

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v59.4.738.738 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 59 (4) ◽

pp. 738-746 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

BL Tonkonow ◽

R Hoffman ◽

D Burger ◽

JT Elder ◽

EM Mazur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Cell Line ◽

Globin Gene ◽

Leukemia Cell ◽

K562 Cells ◽

Leukemia Cell Line ◽

Human Leukemia ◽

Globin Mrna ◽

Human Leukemia Cell Line ◽

Globin Gene Expression

Abstract The human leukemia cell line, K562, produces embryonic and fetal hemoglobins and glycophorin A, proteins normally associated only with erythroid cells. Hemoglobin accumulation is enhanced by exposure of the cells to 0.05 mM hemin. We have examined K562 cells before and after exposure to hemin to determine whether expression of these erythroid proteins was shared by all cells or confined to specific subpopulations. Globin gene expression was examined by quantitation of globin mRNA sequences, using a 3H-globin cDNA molecular hybridization probe. Constitutive cells produced globin mRNA, the content of which was increased 3–4-fold by hemin. Cell-to-cell distribution of globin mRNA was determined by in situ hybridization of 3H-globin cDNA to constitutive and hemin-treated K562 cells. Virtually all cells in the culture exhibited grain counts above background, indicating globin gene expression by all cells, rather than a confined subpopulation. Virtually all hemin-treated cells had 3–5-fold higher grain counts, indicating uniformly increased globin gene expression. The glycophorin content of K562 cells was estimated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) of cells labeled with fluorescein-labeled antiglycophorin antiserum. The vast majority of constitutive cells contained glycophorin, but exhibited to apparent increase in glycophorin accumulation after hemin exposure. Thus, glycophorin and globin genes exhibited differential responses to hemin. These differences could reflect normal differences in the patterns of specialized gene expression in stem cells. Alternatively, different aberrations of gene expression could be occurring in response to the determinants of the neoplastic properties of K562.

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5-Azacytidine Induction of Human γ-Globin Gene Expression: Experimental Evaluation of Current Models.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.1581.1581 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 1581-1581

Author(s):

Rodwell Mabaera ◽

Christine Richardson ◽

Sarah Conine ◽

Christopher H. Lowrey

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Globin Gene ◽

Erythroid Differentiation ◽

Maximal Response ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Erythroid Cells ◽

Globin Mrna ◽

Potent Inducer ◽

Cellular Dna ◽

Globin Gene Expression

Abstract 5-Azacytidine (5-Aza) was demonstrated to be a potent inducer of human fetal globin gene expression more than 20 years ago. More recently, 5-Aza-2-deoxycytidine has been shown to have similar properties. Since the 1980’s there have been two predominant hypotheses to explain the action of these agents. The first is based on the observation that these, and several other active inducing agents, are cytotoxic to differentiating erythroid cells and that drug treatment alters the kinetics of erythroid differentiation. This has been proposed to result in prolonged expression of the γ-globin genes which are normally expressed only early in differentiation. The second is based on the observation that both agents are DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and are presumed to cause demethylation of cellular DNA including the γ-globin gene promoters leading to activation of the genes. These two models lead to specific predictions that we have evaluated using an in vitro erythroid differentiation system. In this system, human adult CD34+ cells are cultured in SCF, Flt3 ligand and IL-3 for 7 days and then switched to Epo for 14 days. This results in an exponential expansion of erythroid cells. As has been described for normal human differentiation, these cells express small amounts of γ-globin mRNA early in differentiation followed by a much larger amount of β-globin mRNA. HPLC at the end of the culture period shows 99% HbA and 1% HbF. Treatment of cultures on a daily basis with 5-Aza starting on day 10 results in dose dependent increases in γ-globin mRNA, Gγ- and Aγ-chain production and HbF. The cytotoxicity model predicts that γ-globin expression will be prolonged to later in differentiation - and this is seen. However, a daily 5-Aza dose of 300 nM, which produces ~80% of the maximal response in γ-globin mRNA and HbF, has no effect on cell growth or differentiation kinetics. This argues against the toxicity model. We next examined the effect of 5-Aza on γ-globin promoter methylation using the bisulfite method. We studied CpGs at −344, −252, −162, −53, −50, +6, +19 and +50 relative to the start site. For untreated controls, all of the sites are nearly 100% methylated at day 1. By day 3, the upstream sites become ~50% methylated except the −53 CpG which was <20%. This pattern persisted at day 10. By day 14 the promoters had become largely remethylated. For cells treated with 5-Aza starting on day 10, there was no change in the levels of methylation seen on days 1,3 and 10, but at day 14 the low levels of upstream methylation persisted - just as γ-globin expression does. However, in both treated and untreated cells, down-stream CpG sites were highly methylated at all time points. This suggests that γ promoter demethylation may be due to a local and not a generalized effect of 5-Aza on cellular DNA methylation. We also made two unexpected observations. At a 300nM dose of 5-Aza, γ-globin mRNA is ~doubled while β-globin mRNA levels are ~halved - indicating that 5-Aza not only induces γ-globin expression also suppresses β-globin. Also despite only a doubling in γ-globin mRNA, there was an ~50-fold increase in HbF, from ~1% to more than 50%, while total per cell Hb levels were unchanged. Neither of these results are easily explained by current models of γ-globin gene induction. Our results raise the possibility that mechanisms beyond cytotoxicity and generalized DNA demethylation may be responsible for pharmacologic induction of γ-globin mRNA and HbF.

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Cucurbitacin D Upregulates Fetal Hemoglobin Expression in K562 Cells and Human Erythroid Progenitors.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v110.11.3833.3833 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 110 (11) ◽

pp. 3833-3833

Author(s):

Hongtao Xing ◽

Siwei Zhang ◽

H. Phillip Koeffler ◽

Ming Chiu Fung

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Globin Gene ◽

Fetal Hemoglobin ◽

K562 Cells ◽

Negative Control ◽

Optimal Dosage ◽

Erythroid Progenitors ◽

Cucurbitacin D ◽

Globin Gene Expression ◽

Sodium Phenylbutyrate

Abstract The search for novel therapeutic candidates causing reactivation of fetal hemoglobin (a2g2; HbF) to reduce the imbalance of globin gene expression is important in order to develop effective approach for the clinical management of sickle cell anemia and b-thalassemia. For the first time, we have identified cucurbitacin D (CuD), a naturally occurring oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenoid, as a molecular entity inducing g-globin gene expression and HbF synthesis in K562 cells and human erythroid progenitors from either peripheral blood or bone marrow. The upregulation of HbF induced by CuD was dose- and time- dependent. CuD was compared to hydroxyurea (HU), 5-azacytidine, amifostine, recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO), and sodium phenylbutyrate. At their optimal dosage, CuD (12.5 ng/mL) and HU (25.0 μg/mL) induced nearly 70% K562 cells to express total hemoglobin after 6 days culture, which was higher than the induction by Amifostine (30%), 5-azacytidine (36%), rhEPO (16%), sodium phenylbutyrate (23%) at their optimal concentrations and negative control (11%). Fetal hemoglobin ELISA showed that CuD (12.5 ng/mL) and 5-azacytidine (400 ng/mL) induced higher levels of fetal hemoglobin in K562 cells (15.4 ng/μL and 29.3 ng/μL, respectively), compared to HU (10.3 ng/μL), amifostine (7.8 ng/μL), rhEPO (10.9 ng/μL), sodium phenylbutyrate (9.9 ng/μL) at their optimal concentrations and negative control (5.3 ng/μL). CuD induced a significantly higher fetal cell percentage than HU in K562 cells (65% vs 37% maximum) and primary erythroid progenitors (36% vs 21% maximum) based on the immunofluorescence imaging and flow cytometry analysis. Real-time PCR results showed that the amount of γ-globin mRNA increased from 2.5-fold in CuD-optimal-treated cells (12.5 ng/mL, 48 hours) compared with 1.5-fold in HU-optimal-treated cells (25.0 μg/mL, 48 hours). Growth inhibition assay (MTT) demonstrated that CuD at its optimal γ-globin inducing dosage (12.5 ng/mL) inhibited proliferation of K562 by less than 10% of untreated control cells; while hydroxyurea at its optimal dosage (25.0 μg/mL) inhibited 80% of cell division. The in vitro therapeutic index (calculated by dividing the dose inhibiting 50% cell growth (IC50) by dose inducing 50% maximal HbF production (ED50)) of CuD was 40-fold greater than HU. Taken together, the results suggest that CuD has the potential to be a therapeutic agent for treatment of sickle cell anemia and b-thalassemia.

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EYA3 May Be Required for Globin Gene Expression in Erythroid Differentiation

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.4797.4797 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 4797-4797

Author(s):

Diana Santos Branco ◽

Ana Flavia Brugnerotto ◽

Carolina Lanaro ◽

Kleber Yotsumoto Fertrin ◽

Anderson Ferreira Cunha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Flow Cytometry ◽

Cell Differentiation ◽

Gene Silencing ◽

Expression Pattern ◽

Globin Gene ◽

Erythroid Differentiation ◽

Control Culture ◽

Culture Cells ◽

Globin Gene Expression

Abstract Abstract 4797 Background: Extensive studies have led to a considerable understanding of the cellular and molecular control of haemoglobin production during red blood cell differentiation, however, identification of the genes expressed as part of the erythroid differentiation programme remains an important goal because of the insights that these data will bring to erythrocyte biology and disease. Previous results using SAGE identified 93 differentially-expressed genes during erythroid development. One of these genes, EYA3, a homologue gene of Eyes Absent 3 in Drosophila, is a transcription cofactor with intrinsic phosphatase activity and its expression was observed to be high at the end of CD34+ cell differentiation and in human bone marrow. Aim: To evaluate globin gene, fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expressions and apoptosis levels in the erythroleukemic K562 cell line after EYA3 gene silencing and induction with hemin. Methods: Four different cultures from human K562 cells (1×105cells/mL in DMEM, 10% FBS, penicillin/streptomycin, 5% CO2, 37°C) were transfected with control or EYA3 knockdown lentiviruses (MOI=2.5). After proliferation and selection of successfully transfected cells with puromicin (2.0 ug/mL), cells were treated with 30μM hemin and collected after 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96h for gene expression and flow cytometry analyses. EYA3, LXN, α, and g-gene expression was measured by qRT-PCR and normalized using the Genorm program. HbF expression and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry. Results: Analysis of globin gene expression showed that α-globin gene was downregulated in EYA3 silenced K562 culture cells compared with the control culture in 72h after hemin addition (1.791±0.1735; 0.7404±0.1709, respectively, **P<0.001, n=4). g-globin gene expression was found to be downregulated in K562 EYA3 silenced culture after 24h (1.350±0.1296; 0.5285±0.1736, respectively, *P<0.05, n=4) and 72h (1.554±0.1042; 0.6889±0.1535, respectively, **P<0.001, n=4). HbF expression was found to be downregulated in the same culture compared to the control culture at 72h after hemin addition (3568±41.00; 1947±206.50, respectively, *P<0.05, n=4). Apoptosis levels were found increased in EYA3 silenced K562 culture cells compared with the control culture in 72h after hemin addition (4.7±0.10; 8.55±0.55, respectively, *P<0.001, n=4). Conclusions: Our results show that silencing EYA causes modifications in the expression pattern of α- and g-globin gene expression as well as in HbF expression pattern and apoptosis levels in a model of erythroid differentiation. Further studies should be performed in primary erythroid cell cultures using siRNA-based gene silencing and overexpression of these genes to determine how these genes are involved in the mechanisms of globin gene regulation. Support by FAPESP, CNPq and INCTS Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Talen-Mediated Knock Outs Of Cis and Trans Elements Potentially Involved In Globin Gene Switching

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v122.21.436.436 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 122 (21) ◽

pp. 436-436

Author(s):

Patrick A Navas ◽

Yongqi Yan ◽

Minerva E Sanchez ◽

Ericka M Johnson ◽

George Stamatoyannopoulos

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Gene Regulation ◽

Globin Gene ◽

K562 Cells ◽

Globin Mrna ◽

Core Elements ◽

Gene Knockouts ◽

Gene Switching ◽

Cis And Trans ◽

Globin Gene Expression

Abstract Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN) are engineered proteins used for precise genome editing by generating specific DNA double strand that are repaired by homologous recombination and by non-homologous end joining. TALENs can be used to study gene regulation by deleting putative regulatory elements in the context of the native chromosome and measuring mRNA synthesis. We designed TALENs to delete individual DNAse I-hypersensitive sites (HS) of the β-globin locus control region (LCR) followed by an assessment of globin gene expression and assessment of epigenetic effects in K562 erythroleukemia cells. The β-globin LCR is composed of five HSs and functions as a powerful regulatory element responsible for appropriate levels of the five β-like globin genes during development. Introduction of plasmid DNA encoding a pair of TALENs and targeting individually the flanking region of the HS2, HS3 and HS4 core elements along with a donor 100 base single-stranded oligonucleotide resulted in the successful deletions of each of the three core elements in K562 cells. Individual K562 cells were seeded to produce clones and the mutations were screened by PCR to identify both heterozygous and homozygous clones. The TALEN-mediated 288 bp HS2 core deletion resulted 32 heterozygous (48.5%) and 6 homozygous clones (9.1%) in a total of 66 clones screened. K562 carries three copies of chromosome 11 emphasizing the robustness of TALEN technology to target each of the alleles. In the 199 bp HS3 core deletion, from 113 clones we identified 28 heterozygous (24.8%) and 3 (2.7%) homozygous clones. Lastly, the 301 bp HS4 core deletion yielded 9 homozygous (5.9%) and 12 heterozygous (7.9%) clones from 151 clones screened. Total RNA was isolated from wild-type K562 cells, and from both the heterozygous and homozygous mutant clones and subjected to RNase Protection analysis to quantitate the levels of globin mRNA. Deletion if the HS3 core in K562 cells in a ∼30% reduction in ε-globin mRNA and 2-fold reduction in γ-globin mRNA. A more dramatic effect on globin expression is observed in the HS2 core deletion, as ε- and γ-globin expression is reduced by 2- and 5-fold, respectively. These results suggest that HS2 contributes the majority of the LCR enhancer function in K562 cells. The HS4 core deletion resulted in a modest ∼20% reduction in both ε- and γ-globin expression. TALENs were designed to knockout trans-acting factors implicated to be involved in globin gene regulation and/or globin switching. TALENs bracketing the gene promoters and the first exon of 25 genes encoding either a transcription factor or histone-modifying enzyme were synthesized and post-transfection PCR screens of the transfected pool of K562 cells resulted in the successful identification of 17 gene knockouts. The 17 target genes are PRMT5, LDB1, EIF2AK3, BCL11A, HBSIL, MYB, SOX6, NFE4, NR2F2, NR2C1, NR2C2, CHTOP, NFE2, DNMT3A, RBBP4, MTA2 and MBD2. Single cell clones have been generated by limited dilution of transfected K562 pools and thus far we have identified heterozygous and homozygous clones of 8 of 17 gene knockouts, importantly all clones were identified without selection. The frequency of identifying the knockout clones, represented by the number of clones screened/ number of heterozygous clones/ number of homozygous clones, are as follows: HBS1L (63/3/0), SOX6 (68/13/2), NFE4 (56/13/7), LBD1 (300/2/0), MBD2 (301/0/1), CHTOP (288/66/6), NFE2 (712/44/5) and NR2C1 (96/40/11). The remaining nine gene knockouts and globin gene expression data will be presented at the meetings. These studies highlight a powerful TALEN-mutagenesis platform for target deletions of both cis- and trans-elements to study globin gene switching. TALENs can be synthesized in several days and the screening of the individual clones for the desired knockouts is completed within two weeks. This highly efficient mutagenesis platform will further our understanding of the molecular basis of globin switching. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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