Protein Plays Role in Hemoglobin Gene Silencing
Apr 11, 2006 news links, research articles
Researchers at the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center have identiifed the role of a protein, MBD2, that mediates silencing of the fetal gamma-globin gene through DNA methylation, an epigenetic mechanism.
The study employed a transgenic mouse model containing the human hemoglobin gene locus to show that MBD2 interprets the DNA methylation “signal” throughout the genome, which determined how the pattern of methylation affected the expression of specific genes.
Previous clinical studies have shown that patients with sickle-cell anemia or beta-thalassemia see a positive effect when gamma-globin gene expression is increased.
“The gamma-globin genes normally become silent in adult hemoglobin expressing red blood cells. If we can find a specific and safe mechanism to reactivate the gamma-globin gene, we may be able to overcome the underlying molecular defect in sickle-cell anemia and beta-thalassemia,” said lead author Gordon D. Ginder, M.D. Link
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