title: Beyond the locus control region: new light on beta-globin locus regulation.
abstract: The locus control region (LCR) is a novel class of cis-acting regulatory sequences that enable high-level, tissue-specific, copy number-dependent, and chromosomal position-independent gene expression in transgenic mice. Recent studies on endogenous beta-globin locus and other loci have offered new insights either in support of or in contrast to our knowledge of the relationship between chromatin conformation and transcriptional regulation, the long-distance interaction between enhancers and promoters, and the developmental switching of multiple-gene loci. Our perceptions of the regulatory roles for LCR and elements beyond the LCR in beta-globin locus regulation have been challenged and demand re-evaluation. A sound elucidation of gene regulation mechanisms may rely on a fine understanding of functional interplay between cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors that participate in gene silencing and activation in their native genomic, cellular, and developmental state.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: X G
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D019901:Locus Control Region / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D005914:Globins