ИСТИНА

In warm-blooded vertebrates the α- and β-globin genes are organized into domains of different types and are regulated in different fashion. In cold-blooded animals, in particular in tropical fish Danio rerio, α- and β-globin genes are gathered in common gene clusters. The major cluster of Danio rerio globin genes is located on the 3 rd chromosome and includes α- and β-globin genes of embryonic-larval and adult types. Upstream to the cluster the gene c16orf35 is located, which in warm-blooded vertebrates harbors the main regulatory element of the α-globin gene domain. In the study, using the technique of transient transfection of erythroid cells with genetic constructions, we have demonstrated that a functional analog of MRE of warm-blooded animals is located in the 5 th intron of Danio rerio c16orf35 gene. This enhancer stimulates activity of promoters of both adult and embryonic-larval α- and β- globin genes. Also we have studied the spatial organization of the major cluster. Using chromosome conformation capture (3C and 5C techniques), we have compared the spatial configuration of the α- and β-globin domain in red blood cells (RBCs) of Danio rerio, expressing embryonic-larvae or adult globin genes. Moreover, we have discovered genetic element, located between subdomains of embryonic-larval and adult globin genes, which demonstrates enhancer-blocking activity.