Silencing of human fetal globin expression is impaired in the absence of the adult β-globin gene activator protein EKLF

摘要

Globin genes are subject to tissue-specific and developmental stage-specific regulation. A switch from human fetal (γ)- to adult (β)-globin expression occurs within erythroid precursor cells of the adult lineage. Previously we and others showed by targeted gene disruption that the zinc finger gene, erythroid Kruppel-like factor (EKLF), is required for expression of the β-globin gene in mice, presumably through interaction with a high-affinity binding site in the proximal promoter.