
Human globin gene expression and linkage in bone marrow and fetal liver.
Author(s) -
W G Lanyon,
Sergio Ottolenghi,
Robert Williamson
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.72.1.258
Subject(s) - biology , globin , microbiology and biotechnology , messenger rna , gene , gene expression , fetus , rna , bone marrow , cytoplasm , embryonic stem cell , genetics , immunology , pregnancy
During embryonic development there is a transition from embryonic and fetal to adult beta-type globin chains. The high-molecular-weight RNA found in nuclei from embryonic and adult human erythropoietic tissues, fetal liver, and bone marrow, have been investigated for the presence of gamma(fetal)- and beta(adult)-globin messenger RNA sequences by molecular hybridization. Unlike alpha- and beta-globin mRNA sequences, gamma-globin mRNA sequences are absent from both total and high-molecular-weight nuclear RNA isolated from adult bone marrow. The amount of cytoplasmic gamma-globin mRNA is proportional to the level of gamma-chain synthesis, demonstrating that translational control is not a major control mechanism in the expression of globin genes. Since the gamma-, delta-, and beta-globin genes are known to be closely linked genetically, transcriptional control can discriminate between similar gene sequences that are spatially adjacent to one another.