Conservation of sequence and structure flanking the mouse and human β-globin loci: The β-globin genes are embedded within an array of odorant receptor genes

作者：Michael Bulger, J. Hikke van Doorninck, Noriko Saitoh, Agnes Telling, Catherine M. Farrell, Michael A. Bender, Gary Felsenfeld, Richard Axel, Mark T. Groudine · 发表于：Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 年份：1999 · DOI：10.1073/pnas.96.9.5129 · 被引用次数：141 · 研究领域：Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies、Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques、Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research

In mouse and human, the beta-globin genes reside in a linear array that is associated with a positive regulatory element located 5' to the genes known as the locus control region (LCR). The sequences of the mouse and human beta-globin LCRs are homologous, indicating conservation of an essential function in beta-globin gene regulation. We have sequenced regions flanking the beta-globin locus in both mouse and human and found that homology associated with the LCR is more extensive than previously known, making up a conserved block of approximately 40 kb. In addition, we have identified DNaseI-hypersensitive sites within the newly sequenced regions in both mouse and human, and these structural features also are conserved. Finally, we have found that both mouse and human beta-globin loci are embedded within an array of odorant receptor genes that are expressed in olfactory epithelium, and we also identify an olfactory receptor gene located 3' of the beta-globin locus in chicken. The data demonstrate an evolutionarily conserved genomic organization for the beta-globin locus and suggest a possible role for the beta-globin LCR in control of expression of these odorant receptor genes and/or the presence of mechanisms to separate regulatory signals in different tissues.