The hemoglobin regulatory regions

Betty S. Pace, Levi H. Makala

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

All animals that use hemoglobin for oxygen transport synthesize different hemoglobin types during the various stages of development. In humans, two gene clusters direct the production of hemoglobin including the α-locus which contains the embryonic ζ gene and two adult α genes on chromosome 16. A second cluster, the β-globin locus located on chromosome 11, contains the ε, Gγ, Aγ, δ, and β genes. The globin genes are arranged from 5′ to 3′ according to the order of their expression and are developmentally regulated to produce different hemoglobin species during ontogeny. Two switches in the type of hemoglobin synthesized during development occur, a process known as hemoglobin switching. Through research efforts over the last two decades, several insights have been gained into the molecular mechanisms of hemoglobin switching. However, the entire process has not been fully elucidated. Studies of naturally occurring globin gene promoter mutations and transgenic mouse investigations have contributed to our understanding of the effect of DNA mutations on globin gene expression. Furthermore, the developmental regulation of globin gene expression has shaped research efforts to establish therapeutic modalities for individuals affected with sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia. Here, we will review the progress made toward understanding molecular mechanisms that control globin gene expression and the consequences of mutations on hemoglobin switching.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationGene Regulatory Sequences and Human Disease
PublisherSpringer New York
Pages19-40
Number of pages22
ISBN (Electronic)9781461416838
ISBN (Print)1461416825, 9781461416821
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2011

Keywords

  • Hemoglobin
  • Hemoglobin switching
  • Hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Thalassemia
  • α-Globin
  • β-Globin
  • γ-Globin
  • ε-Globin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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