title: Human beta-globin gene expression after gene transfer using retroviral vectors.
abstract: A retroviral vector containing a 4.4-kb Pst I human beta S-globin gene and a neomycin resistance gene was used to infect NIH-3T3 and mouse erythroleukemia cells (MELC). In MELC, human beta-globin mRNA transcripts are transcribed and properly initiated and spliced. In some cases, there is an appropriate increase in beta-globin mRNA on addition of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), an inducer of hemoglobin synthesis and erythroid differentiation in these cells. When NIH-3T3 cells are infected with the same retroviral vector, there is less globin mRNA accumulation and no evidence for appropriate regulation. Human beta-globin gene expression in MELC clones induced with DMSO is 2-3% that of endogenous mouse beta-globin gene expression. These results indicate that retroviral vectors can be used to transfer and appropriately express human beta-globin genes in erythroid cells.
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D010957:Plasmids; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D012313:RNA; D005914:Globins; D004247:DNA