An insulator embedded in the chicken α-globin locus regulates chromatin domain configuration and differential gene expression.

ABSTRACT: Genome organization into transcriptionally active domains denotes one of the first levels of gene expression regulation. Although the chromatin domain concept is generally accepted, only little is known on how domain organization impacts the regulation of differential gene expression. Insulators might hold answers to address this issue as they delimit and organize chromatin domains. We have previously identified a CTCF-dependent insulator with enhancer-blocking activity embedded in the 5' non-coding region of the chicken α-globin domain. Here, we demonstrate that this element, called the αEHS-1.4 insulator, protects a transgene against chromosomal position effects in stably transfected cell lines and transgenic mice. We found that this insulator can create a regulated chromatin environment

SUBMITTER: Furlan-Magaril M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3017597 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature