Globin genes transcriptional switching, chromatin structure and linked lessons to epigenetics in cancer: a comparative overview.
At the present time research situates differential regulation of gene expression in an increasingly complex scenario based on interplay between genetic and epigenetic information networks, which need to be highly coordinated. Here we describe in a comparative way relevant concepts and models derived from studies on the chicken alpha- and beta-globin group of genes. We discuss models for globin switching and mechanisms for coordinated transcriptional activation. A comparative overview of globin genes chromatin structure, based on their genomic domain organization and epigenetic components is presented. We argue that the results of those studies and their integrative interpretation may contribute to our understanding of epigenetic abnormalities, from beta-thalassemias to human cancer. Finally we discuss the interdependency of genetic-epigenetic components and the need of their mutual consideration in order to visualize the regulation of gene expression in a more natural context and consequently better understand cell differentiation, development and cancer.
Guerrero
Georgina
G
Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Departamento de Genética Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-242, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
Delgado-Olguín
Paul
P
Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Departamento de Genética Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-242, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
Escamilla-Del-Arenal
Martín
M
Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Departamento de Genética Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-242, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
Furlan-Magaril
Mayra
M
Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Departamento de Genética Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-242, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
Rebollar
Eria
E
Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Departamento de Genética Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-242, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
De La Rosa-Velázquez
Inti A
IA
Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Departamento de Genética Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-242, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
Soto-Reyes
Ernesto
E
Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Departamento de Genética Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-242, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
Rincón-Arano
Héctor
H
Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Departamento de Genética Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-242, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
Valdes-Quezada
Christian
C
Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Departamento de Genética Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-242, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
Valadez-Graham
Viviana
V
Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Departamento de Genética Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-242, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico.
Recillas-Targa
Félix
F
Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Departamento de Genética Molecular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-242, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico. Electronic address: frecilla@ifc.unam.mx.
D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005914:Globins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D002843:Chromatin; D005914:Globins