Genomic cloning, characterization, and multilineage growth-promoting activity of human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Through the use of long single-sequence oligonucleotide probes, the complete gene for human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) has been cloned from a human genomic library. The gene is 2.5 kilobases in length, contains three introns, and is present as a single copy in the human genome. When subcloned into the mammalian expression vector pD3, the gene directs the synthesis of authentic hGM-CSF. In addition to its stimulation of in vitro granulopoiesis and monopoiesis, recombinant hGM-CSF stimulates in vitro erythropoiesis and megakaryopoiesis.