title: Intergenic transcription and transinduction of the human beta-globin locus.
abstract: We have identified novel nuclear transcripts in the human beta-globin locus using nuclear run-on analysis in erythroid cell lines and in situ hybridization analysis of erythroid tissue. These transcripts extend across the LCR and intergenic regions but are undetectable in nonerythroid cells. Surprisingly, transient transfection of a beta-globin gene (epsilon, gamma, or beta) induces transcription of the LCR and intergenic regions from the chromosomal beta-globin locus in nonerythroid cell lines. The beta-globin genes themselves, however, remain transcriptionally silent. Induction is dependent on transcription of the globin gene in the transfected plasmid but does not require protein expression. Using in situ hybridization analysis, we show that the plasmid colocalizes with the endogenous beta-globin locus providing insight into the mechanism of transinduction.
authors.affiliation: Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Ashe
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Monks
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wijgerde
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Proudfoot
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D015342:DNA Probes; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000235:genetics; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D019901:Locus Control Region / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D010957:Plasmids; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014162:Transfection / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D005914:Globins