Regulated expression of human A gamma-, beta-, and hybrid gamma beta-globin genes in transgenic mice: manipulation of the developmental expression patterns.

We have introduced the human fetal gamma- and adult beta-globin genes into the germ line of mice. Analysis of the resulting transgenic mice shows that the human gamma-globin gene is expressed like an embryonic mouse globin gene; the human beta-globin gene is expressed (as previously shown) like an adult mouse globin gene. These results imply that the regulatory signals for tissue- and developmental stage-specific expression of the globin genes have been conserved between man and mouse but that the timing of the signals has changed. Because the two genes are expressed differently, we introduced a hybrid gamma beta-globin gene construct. The combination of the regulatory sequences resulted in the expression of the hybrid gene at all stages in all the murine erythroid tissues.