Alpha actin gene exist in an active structural configuration in the proliferating myoblasts as well as in differentiated myotubes of the L6 line.
Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) mainly consisting of transcription sites was probed with cDNA actin clones for studying the expression of actin specific genes during myogenesis in the L6 line of rat myogenic cells. As compared with total nuclear DNA, ssDNA from myoblasts and myotubes was found greatly enriched in sequences complementary to both muscular and non muscular actin sequences. In contrast, ssDNA from spleen, hepatocytes or hepatoma cells was found enriched only in sequences complementary to non muscle actin cDNA. Actin specific sequences accumulated in the ssDNA fraction are almost entirely derived from the coding DNA strand. The DNAase I sensitivity of the actin genes sequences in myogenic and non myogenic cells correlated the data obtained with the ssDNA fraction. It is concluded that the muscle specific actin genes is either transcriptionally active or at least exist in an active configuration in the proliferating myoblasts as well as in the terminally differentiated myotubes.
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005796:Genes; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D051381:Rats; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000199:Actins; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D005914:Globins