Expression of a cloned Lepore globin gene
C Dobkin, J Clyne, A Metzenberg and A Bank
Lepore globin is synthesized in markedly diminished amounts (approximately
10% to 15% of normal beta-globin) in human erythroid cells. To study the
molecular mechanisms responsible for the diminished biosynthesis of Lepore
globin, the Lepore-Boston gene was cloned from a charon phage DNA library
and expressed in HeLa cells. Northern blotting and S1 nuclease analyses
indicated that the Lepore gene produced less globin mRNA than a beta-gene
and more than a delta-gene. The results indicate that expression of the
Lepore-Boston gene in HeLa cells is reduced to an extent comparable to that
seen in erythroid precursors in vivo. This indicates that the decrease in
Lepore globin gene transcription is due to the delta-nucleotide sequences
either in the 5' flanking region or within this gene.
Volume 67,
Issue 1,
pp. 168-172,
01/01/1986
Copyright © 1986 by The American Society of Hematology