The globin chain synthetic pattern and the extent of DNA methylation within embryonic, fetal, and adult beta-like globin gene domains were evaluated in greater than or equal to 90% purified human erythroblasts from yolk sacs and fetal livers in the 6- to 12-wk gestational period as well as from adult marrows. The 6-wk erythroblasts produce essentially embryonic epsilon chains, whereas the 12-wk erythroblasts synthesize largely fetal gamma globin and the adult marrow erythroblasts synthesize almost exclusively adult beta chains. In all phases of ontogenic development, a strong correlation exists between DNA hypomethylation in the close flanking sequences of globin genes and their expression. These results suggest that modulation of the methylation pattern may represent a key mechanism for regulating expression of human globin genes during embryonic leads to fetal and fetal leads to adult Hb switches in humans. In ontogenic development this mechanism might in turn correlate with a gradual modification of chromatin structure in the non-alpha gene cluster, thus leading to a 5' leads to 3' activation of globin genes in a balanced fashion.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.80.22.6907 | DOI Listing |
Metabolites
December 2024
IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece.
Thalassemia is an autosomal recessive hereditary chronic hemolytic anemia characterized by a partial or complete deficiency in the synthesis of alpha- or beta-globin chains, which are essential components of adult hemoglobin. Mutations in the globin genes lead to the production of unstable globin chains that precipitate within cells, causing hemolysis. This shortens the lifespan of mature red blood cells (RBCs) and results in the premature destruction of RBC precursors in the bone marrow.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAccumulation of free α-globin is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of β-thalassemia. Autophagy plays a crucial role in clearing toxic free α-globin, thereby reducing disease severity. However, the impact of natural mutations in autophagy-related genes (ATGs) on the phenotypic variability of β-thalassemia remains unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHemoglobin
December 2024
The Department of Medical Genetics, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China.
Hemoglobin disorders are highly prevalent inherited hematological defects in Southern China. The identification of novel variants in globin genes and accurate assessment of hematological parameters play a crucial role in precise genetic counseling and clinical practice. Peripheral blood samples were collected for hematological analysis, including red blood cell and hemoglobin assessment, while serum ferritin levels were measured to detect iron depletion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGenome Res
December 2024
Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA;
Accurately quantifying the functional consequences of noncoding mosaic variants requires the pairing of DNA sequences with both accessible and closed chromatin architectures along individual DNA molecules-a pairing that cannot be achieved using traditional fragmentation-based chromatin assays. We demonstrate that targeted single-molecule chromatin fiber sequencing (Fiber-seq) achieves this, permitting single-molecule, long-read genomic, and epigenomic profiling across targeted >100 kb loci with ∼10-fold enrichment over untargeted sequencing. Targeted Fiber-seq reveals that pathogenic expansions of the CTG repeat that underlie Myotonic Dystrophy 1 are characterized by somatic instability and disruption of multiple nearby regulatory elements, both of which are repeat length-dependent.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCell Genom
December 2024
Bioinformatics Interdepartmental Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Computational Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Electronic address:
Identifying factors that affect treatment response is a central objective of clinical research, yet the role of common genetic variation remains largely unknown. Here, we develop a framework to study the genetic architecture of response to commonly prescribed drugs in large biobanks. We quantify treatment response heritability for statins, metformin, warfarin, and methotrexate in the UK Biobank.
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