Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms of β-Globin Gene Switching
- Authors: Iarovaia O.V.1,2, Kovina A.P.1,2,3, Petrova N.V.1,2, Razin S.V.1,2,3, Ioudinkova E.S.1,2, Vassetzky Y.S.2,4, Ulianov S.V.1,2,3
-
Affiliations:
- Institute of Gene Biology
- French–Russian Laboratory for Research in Oncology LIA1066
- Lomonosov Moscow State University
- Institut Gustave Roussy
- Issue: Vol 83, No 4 (2018)
- Pages: 381-392
- Section: Review
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/0006-2979/article/view/151632
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0006297918040090
- ID: 151632
Cite item
Abstract
Vertebrates have multiple forms of hemoglobin that differ in the composition of their polypeptide chains. During ontogenesis, the composition of these subunits changes. Genes encoding different α- and β-polypeptide chains are located in two multigene clusters on different chromosomes. Each cluster contains several genes that are expressed at different stages of ontogenesis. The phenomenon of stage-specific transcription of globin genes is referred to as globin gene switching. Mechanisms of expression switching, stage-specific activation, and repression of transcription of α- and β-globin genes are of interest from both theoretical and practical points of view. Alteration of balanced expression of globin genes, which usually occurs due to damage to adult β-globin genes, leads to development of severe diseases–hemoglobinopathies. In most cases, reactivation of the fetal hemoglobin gene in patients with β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease can reduce negative consequences of irreversible alterations of expression of the β-globin genes. This review focuses on the current state of research on genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying stage-specific switching of β-globin genes.
About the authors
O. V. Iarovaia
Institute of Gene Biology; French–Russian Laboratory for Research in Oncology LIA1066
Author for correspondence.
Email: iarovaia@inbox.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119334; Russia
A. P. Kovina
Institute of Gene Biology; French–Russian Laboratory for Research in Oncology LIA1066; Lomonosov Moscow State University
Email: iarovaia@inbox.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119334; Russia; Moscow, 119991
N. V. Petrova
Institute of Gene Biology; French–Russian Laboratory for Research in Oncology LIA1066
Email: iarovaia@inbox.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119334; Russia
S. V. Razin
Institute of Gene Biology; French–Russian Laboratory for Research in Oncology LIA1066; Lomonosov Moscow State University
Email: iarovaia@inbox.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119334; Russia; Moscow, 119991
E. S. Ioudinkova
Institute of Gene Biology; French–Russian Laboratory for Research in Oncology LIA1066
Email: iarovaia@inbox.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119334; Russia
Y. S. Vassetzky
French–Russian Laboratory for Research in Oncology LIA1066; Institut Gustave Roussy
Email: iarovaia@inbox.ru
France, Russia; 39 rue Camille-Desmoulins, Villejuif, 94805
S. V. Ulianov
Institute of Gene Biology; French–Russian Laboratory for Research in Oncology LIA1066; Lomonosov Moscow State University
Email: iarovaia@inbox.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119334; Russia; Moscow, 119991