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Published September 19, 1980 | public
Journal Article

Structure and in vitro Transcription of Human Globin Genes

Abstract

The ɑ-like and β-like subunits of human hemoglobin are encoded by a small family of genes that are differentially expressed during development. Through the use of molecular cloning procedures, each member of this gene family has been isolated and extensively characterized. Although the ɑ-like and β-like globin genes are located on different chromosomes, both sets of genes are arranged in closely linked clusters. In both clusters, each of the genes is transcribed from the same DNA strand, and the genes are arranged in the order of their expressions during development. Structural comparisons of immediately adjacent genes within each cluster have provided evidence for the occurrence of gene duplication and correction during evolution and have led to the discovery of pseudogenes, genes that have acquired numerous mutations that prevent their normal expression. Recently, in vivo and in vitro systems for studying the expression of cloned eukaryotic genes have been developed as a means of identifying DNA sequences that are necessary for normal gene function. This article describes the application of an in vitro transcription procedure to the study of human globin gene expression.

Additional Information

© 1980 American Association for the Advancement of Science. 21 July 1980. The authors are grateful to C. O'Connell, who was involved in the preliminary stages of this work, arid to G. Attardi for providing HeLa cells. Supported by NIH grants.

Additional details

Created:
August 19, 2023
Modified:
October 20, 2023