Sequential alterations in globin gene chromatin structure during erythroleukemia cell differentiation.

During differentiation of murine erythroleukemia cells, adult beta-globin gene chromatin acquires site-specific, DNase I hypersensitivity and an increased sensitivity in the globin gene region toward micrococcal nuclease (MNase) digestion. The relationship of these changes in chromatin structure to globin gene activation and to cellular commitment events has been studied. Imidazole, which blocks globin gene transcription during induction does not affect the terminal differentiation of the cells nor does it prevent the acquisition of DNAse I hypersensitivity. The formation of the inducible DNase I-hypersensitive site near the globin gene accompanies the developmental events which lead to cellular differentiation independent of the transcription process. The increased MNase sensitivity of the adult beta-globin gene region, normally preceded by the acquisition of 5' DNase I hypersensitivity, was blocked by the addition of imidazole prior to but not after globin gene activation. The enhanced MNase sensitivity was not abolished by the addition of actinomycin D and, thus, reflects a part of chromatin alterations that define potential for transcription. Therefore, there is a sequential series of chromatin alterations in the globin gene region associated with murine erythroleukemia cell differentiation. The appearance of the inducible 5' DNase I-hypersensitive site precedes the onset of globin gene transcription and is strongly correlated with commitment events. The enhanced MNase sensitivity is closely related to globin gene transcription, but it is not a consequence of the transcription process. In addition, the commitment of cells to terminal differentiation is dissociable from the stimulation of globin gene transcription.