Tissue‐specific formation of transcription‐initiation complexes at the 5′ end of the mouse β major globin gene

• Published in: European journal of biochemistry Vol. 135; no. 1; pp. 163 - 169
• Main Authors: TRIADOU, Patrick, LELONG, Jean‐Claude, GROS, François, CREPIN, Michel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.1983
• Subjects: Amanitins - pharmacology; Anemia - physiopathology; Animals; DNA - metabolism; Erythrocytes - physiology; Friend murine leukemia virus; Globins - genetics; Leukemia, Experimental - physiopathology; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; RNA Polymerase II - metabolism; Spleen - physiology; Tissue Extracts - pharmacology; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Transcription, Genetic - drug effects
• ISSN: 0014-2956; 1432-1033
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1983.tb07632.x

Accurate initiation of transcription in vitro requires, in addition to RNA polymerase II, factors present in soluble extracts of cultured cells. We have developed transcription system in vitro, which permits us to visualize the transcription‐initiation complexes on a mouse β globin restricted fragment from a recombinant β globin bacteriophage DNA. Using the λ fragments as internal controls this system has allowed us to assess the specificity of transcription with RNA polymerase II. Comparing extracts from cells and tissues expressing the globin genes (Friend cells, spleen and blood from phenylhydrazine‐induced anemic mice) with those which do not (thymus, liver, PCC3 cells), we observed that specific initiation of transcription on the β globin gene occurs only with soluble extracts from erythroid tissues. This tissue‐specific transcription is partially sensitive to α‐amanitin and occurs at the 5′ end of the globin gene.